The Daily Mail's Craig Hope has delivered a new update on where things currently stand with Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce.

What's the story?

Following the completion of the takeover last week, all signs have pointed towards an imminent exit for Bruce, and while that hasn't happened just yet, Hope has insisted it appears to be a case of when, not if.

He said: "Meanwhile, head coach Steve Bruce remains in post having met with Amanda Staveley at the training ground on Monday. However, it was always understood that it would take until at least the middle of the week before removing Bruce ahead of Sunday's visit of Spurs.

"The focus of the new owners remains on the managerial situation, with appointments such as sporting director and chief executive to follow in due course.

"Sources have played down the likelihood of Frank Lampard being the man to take charge, although they have also stressed that many options are on the table given the number of voices involved in the process."

Fans will be excited

Make no mistake about it, Bruce being axed would be the kind of first era-defining move that the club's new owners could make.

The Magpies boss has been under fire from supporters for a long time now, and getting rid of him before this weekend's Premier League clash against Tottenham seems like the perfect time to breathe some fresh air into the club.

Hope's update that the new owners will be removing Bruce from his post is sure to reassure fans who might have been worried about the lack of action on that front up until now.

And, the suggestion that there are a number of voices involved in deciding who the next man at the helm should be is exciting reading, given when you think the kind of small pool of power that existed during Mike Ashley's regime.

Newcastle fans will surely be excited at the prospect of a new era.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign this former Premier League star for free...