Steve Bruce left Newcastle United with a full payout of the remainder of his contract.

The Daily Mail says Bruce was sacked with an £8million pay-off on Wednesday after Newcastle's Saudi owners acted in the wake of defeat in their first game at St James' Park.

Sources say it was always the intention to replace the 60-year-old, but the performance and toxic atmosphere towards the end of the 3-2 loss to Tottenham brought home the need for immediate action.

They feared the team would struggle to pick up another point without a change and Graeme Jones has been placed in temporary charge for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace.

Among those being considered as Bruce's permanent replacement are Paulo Fonseca, Roberto Martinez, Lucien Favre, Eddie Howe and Rudi Garcia.