Steve Bruce has finally been sacked as head coach of Newcastle United by their new Saudi-backed owners, nearly two weeks after they bought the club.
The consortium had intended to remove the 60-year-old last week before their opening match against Spurs, knowing that to leave him in post risked the atmosphere turning toxic inside St James' Park.
That is exactly how it played out as supporters again turned on Bruce during a 3-2 defeat, after which captain Jamaal Lascelles and team-mate Isaac Hayden had to be pulled apart by staff when they clashed in the tunnel area.