MARTIN SAMUEL: It all points to Mauricio Pochettino at Newcastle, who would bring a statement of intent... but that doesn't make it any fairer if the club cast aside Steve Bruce

Newcastle's prospective owners have a problem. It is the same one that affected Blackburn and Manchester City before them.

Stick or twist. Stick with the incumbent manager who certainly deserves his chance, or bring in the coach it is believed will deliver the club to its next level. Blackburn and City decided initially to stick; and then, predictably, to twist.

It is no doubt why Steve Bruce sees his departure in the coming months as close on inevitable. He's been around long enough. He knows how this works.

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Bruce has done a good job at Newcastle, with limited resources.