Steve Bruce leaves Hull City by mutual consent after England snub

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Steve Bruce has left his role at promoted Hull City by mutual consent.

The 54-year-old was interviewed by the Football Association last week over the vacant England manager’s job which was filled by Sunderland’s Sam Allardyce on Friday.

However, despite Bruce missing out on the national team job, Bruce is believed to have held talks over his future with Hull, and his departure was confirmed by the club on Friday night, just over three weeks before they return to the Premier League.

Hull have endured a tumultuous summer since their promotion as Championship play-off winners last season, with the first-team squad down to 14 players and the club locked in takeover talks which have since been delayed until after the transfer window deadline.

The health of current owner Assem Allam, who holds a frosty relationship with the club’s supporters due to his attempt to change the name of the club when they were in the Premier League last time, has also been an issue, with fears for the 76-year-old’s wellbeing arising in recent weeks.

Bruce is believed to have met with Hull vice-chairman Ehab Allam, the son of owner Assem Allam, to hold showdown talks over his potential exit.

Hull are due to raise the curtain on the new Premier League season when they take on reigning champions Leicester City in the early kick-off on Saturday 13 August, and now face a race against time to appoint a replacement, with Roy Keane among the early favourites.

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The club have seen their squad decimated by long-term injuries ahead of the new campaign, with Michael Dawson, Moses Odubajo, Allan McGregor and Bruce’s son Alex all ruled out for the foreseeable future. Transfer business during the summer has been almost non-existent, with only Will Mannion and Jonathan Edwards joining the club, from AFC Wimbledon and Peterborough respectively.

Bruce was unable to hang on to Arsenal duo Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden, with the former joining up with the first-team’s pre-season plans and the latter completing a move to Championship side Newcastle.

"Following four incredible seasons with the Tigers including two promotions and our first ever FA Cup final, we can confirm that manager Steve Bruce has left the Club by mutual consent," a club statement read.

"The Board of Directors would like to thank Steve for all his efforts since his appointment in 2012 culminating in a glorious day at Wembley in May which saw the Club bounce back into the Premier League. Steve has excelled in his role - both on and off the field - and will be remembered for being the most successful manager in our history to date.

"Steve Bruce wishes the Club and the owners all the very best for the forthcoming Premier League season. Steve also wishes to place on record his thanks to the Club's supporters for their unwavering support and also to all the players and staff who have worked with him during his time at the KCOM Stadium.

"Mike Phelan will step in to the role of caretaker manager until a permanent appointment is made for the upcoming campaign.".