Steve Bruce in line to stay as manager of Newcastle for new owners’ first game

• Club’s search ongoing after failing to land Rodgers or Benítez
• Owners feel Bruce merits dignified exit with 1,000th game

Steve Bruce is set to remain in charge of Newcastle United for the first match of the club’s Saudi Arabian-led era.

Although Bruce had expected to be sacked this week he is poised to preside over his 1,000th game as a club manager when Tottenham visit St James’ Park on Sunday. It is almost certain to be his final substantive act at Newcastle before being dismissed but the owners are still to identify a replacement and have decided a 60-year-old in line for a £7m payoff merits a dignified end to his tenure.