Steve Bruce leaves Newcastle: best and the worst results of his era - in pictures

Magpies manager departed on Wednesday after turbulent spell in charge of Premier League club

HIGHS AND LOWS OF STEVE BRUCE ERA - Aug 25, 2019. Spurs 0 Newcastle 1 (Joelinton 27'): Bruce's first victory as manager against the Champions League runners-up with the Magpies new £40m record signing securing the points. Bruce said: "Hopefully, that will shut a few people up a little bit." Getty

Sept 29, 2019. Leicester 5 (Pereira (16', Vardy 54', 64', Dummett og 57', Ndidi 90') Newcastle 0: The joint heaviest defeat of Bruce's reign as Newcastle are blown away by three goals in 10 second-half minutes. Isaac Hayden was sent off just before half time as Newcastle failed to register a single shot on target. Bruce said: "I've got no complaints." AFP

Oct 6, 2019. Newcastle 1 (M Longstaff 72') Manchester United 0: Teenage local boy Matty Longstaff enjoyed a debut to remember when he drove home the winner against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. Bruce said: "All you can do is answer your critics by getting a result ... I hope this is the turning point." Getty

Jan 1, 2020. Newcastle 0 Leicester 3 (Perez 36', Maddison 39', Choudhury 87'): Ayoze Perez came back to haunt his old club. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka kept the scoreline down while Newcastle played most of the second half with 10 men due to injuries. Bruce said: "You get injuries by forcing players to play tired. That's not an excuse, it's a fact." Getty

Jan 18, 2020. Newcastle 1 (Hayden 90+4') Chelsea 0: Frank Lampard's side enjoyed 70 per cent possession and had 19 shots on goal - but it was Newcastle that stole the points courtesy of Isaac Hayden's injury-time winner. Bruce said: "We didn't seem to carry a threat. But one great ball or delivery - you may call it smash and grab, but it is good to see." AFP

July 1, 2020. Bournemouth 1 (Gosling 90+4') Newcastle 4 (Gayle (5', S Longstaff 30', Almiron 57', Lazaro 77'): One of the best performances of the Bruce era, even if if did come against the relegation-bound Cherries. Allan Saint-Maximin was a constant menace for Newcastle. Bruce said: "Some of the football we played and the goals we scored were a delight to watch." AFP

Sept 12, 2020. West Ham 0 Newcastle 2 (Wilson 56', Hendrick 87'): Summer signings Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick both scored as Newcastle made a winning start to the new campaign that seemed to suggest a promising season lay ahead. Bruce said: "We have made progress ... and cannot get carried away but it has been a positive week for everybody." AFP

Sept 20, 2020. Newcastle 0 Brighton 3 (Maupay pen 4', 7', Connolly 83'): Back down to earth with a crash for Newcastle after the the previous week's win at West Ham. Brighton were two-up after seven minutes and outplayed the home side. Bruce said: "Since I've been here it's like this. We do OK for a while, then we throw a hand grenade in." AFP

Dec 16, 2020. Leeds 5 (Bamford 35', Rodrigo 61', Dallas 77', Alioski 85', Harrison 88') Newcastle 2 (Hendrick 26', Clark 65'): A second-half collapse saw the Magpies fall to a heavy defeat - and begin a run that would not see them win a game until January 30. Bruce said "We've gifted them the two or three goals ... they're something which you see on a park on a Sunday." AFP

Dec 22, 2020. Brentford 1 (Dasilva 66') Newcastle 0: A dreadful performance devoid of energy, drive and inspiration saw Newcastle exit the League cup at the quarter-final stage against second-tier opposition. Bruce said: "We've had a great opportunity to get into a first semi-final in many years. I'm bitterly disappointed and very, very frustrated." Getty

Jan 12, 2021: Sheffield United 1 (Sharp pen 73') Newcastle 0: Taking on the bottom club who had yet to win in 17 league games, Bruce selected a five-man defence and only two attacking players in Ryan Fraser, who was sent off before half-time, and Callum Wilson. Bruce said: "The gloves are off now. I’m going to do things the way I see fit. We’ll do it my way." AFP

Jan 30, 2021: Everton 0 Newcastle 2 (Wilson 73', 90'+3'): Newcastle's first win in 12 ended a five-match losing streak. A change in formation implemented by new coach Graeme Jones seemed to give the Magpies a desperately needed lift. Bruce said: "There's no disputing it - it's been very difficult. We're trying to be more on the front foot." Reuters

Mar 20, 2021: Brighton 3 (Trossard 45'+3', Welbeck 51', Maupay 68') Newcastle 0: A woeful defeat against relegation rivals that many thought would result in Bruce being sacked. Newcastle had one shot on target all game and the scoreline flattered them. Bruce said: "I'll take full responsibility. We were nowhere near the levels we need to be." AFP

May 7, 2021: Leicester 2 (Albrighton 80', Iheanacho 87') Newcastle 4 (Willock 22', Dummett 34', Wilson 64', 73'): Bruce had avoided the sack and oversaw an upturn in form that saw Newcastle win five of their last eight games that season. This was the best of them - and the best of his entire reign. Bruce said: "We have turned it around at the right time." AFP

Oct 17, 2021: Newcastle 2 (Wilson 2', Dier 89' og) Tottenham 3 (Ndombele 17', Kane 22', Son 45'+3). The last stand, and despite taking the lead, a quick turnaround and another defeat for Bruce in his 1,000th match as a manager. Bruce said: "I will carry on as best I can until I hear otherwise." EPA

Newcastle United parted with manager Steve Bruce on Wednesday as the Premier League club made their first big change under their new Saudi-backed owners.

The consortium — that includes the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund) as majority partner alongside British-based Reuben brothers and financier Amanda Staveley — decided to move quickly and Bruce's time in charge came to an end soon after the 3-2 defeat at home to Tottenham.

Bruce was appointed in the summer of 2019, replacing Rafa Benitez as manager after the Spaniard left the club blaming broken promises and lack of ambition of the then owner Mike Ashley for his exit.

Benitez was hugely popular with Newcastle fans, which only increased the pressure on Tyneside-born Bruce, who had turned down the job earlier in his managerial career and had also been in charge of local rivals Sunderland between 2009-11.

Benitez, a La Liga and Champions League winning manager, had left and a man whose coaching CV highlights were securing three promotions to England’s top-flight, plus an FA Cup runner’s up medal, taken over.

“I’ve heard it said that I’m a puppet but I’m not Mike Ashley’s bagman or anything else. I’m my own man. All I ask is to be given a chance,” said Bruce after his appointment.

Results in his first season were mixed — the Magpies did reach their first FA Cup quarter-final since 2006 while also struggling badly for goals throughout the campaign — but Bruce secured the sole priority of any Newcastle manager during the Ashley era: Premier League survival.

Newcastle-Tottenham player ratings

Newcastle finished 13th, matching the previous season's effort achieved by Benitez, but supporters remained unhappy at what they perceived as Bruce's negative tactics and lack of attacking flair — bar their enigmatic Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin.

The arrival of striker Callum Wilson during the summer gave Newcastle a much-needed boost up front but the campaign became another survival slog. One disastrous mid-season run saw Bruce's side win twice in 19 games and a third relegation under Ashley's ownership seemed on the cards.

But, inspired by the goals of on-loan Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock, Newcastle finished the season well — winning five and drawing two of their final nine matches. The team would finish a respectable 12th.

With Willock's permanent move the only transfer arrival during the summer — much to fans' frustration with even Bruce expressing rare public disappointment — the team has struggled again this term and sit second bottom without a win from eight games.

In the above gallery, we take a look at the best and worst results of Bruce's time in charge.

The Bruce era

2019/20 season

Premier League: 13th

Top goalscorer: Miguel Almiron — eight

League Cup: Second round — Newcastle 1 Leicester City 1. Leicester won 4-2 on penalties

FA Cup: Quarter-finals — Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2

2020/21 season

Premier League: 12th

Top goalscorer: Callum Wilson — 12

League Cup: Quarter-finals — Brentford 1 Newcastle 0

FA Cup: Third round — Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0

2021/22 season (Bruce leaves by mutual consent on October 20, 2021)

Premier League (eight games) 19th

Top goalscorer Callum Wilson — three

League Cup Second round — Newcastle 0 Burnley 0. Burnley won 4-3 on penalties