An exodus at Newcastle United has led to Eddie Howe leaving after four-and-a-half years in the dugout.

Steve Bruce has told Newcastle United to forget about the 2030 vision if they continue to sell their best players.

Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have departed in the last 12 months. If Bruno Guimaraes also leaves, the Magpies would have fetched £380million for the quartet.

Losing the club’s prized assets is one of the reasons why Eddie Howe resigned on Thursday. The 48-year-old felt as though he had taken Newcastle as far as possible, with Guimaraes’ impending exit the final straw.

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Steve Bruce warns Newcastle United

Former Toon boss Bruce - Howe’s predecessor - has hailed his time at St James’ Park while firing a warning to the hierarchy. He said: “We’re all shocked at the timing of it. He's done a magnificent job. A lot of Newcastle fans, and I can still say I'm one of them, are going to be totally disappointed (and) a little bit disillusioned really with what's happening.

“It started a year ago. The (Alexander) Isak situation wasn't great for the football club at all. Newcastle made this pledge that, by 2030, they're going to try and win the Premier League. Unfortunately, it looks as if they've got to go down a different route, it doesn't look as if it's the same club as it was maybe two, three years ago, and the one thing you can't be doing is keep selling your best players.”

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Eddie Howe for England?

Bruce also did not rule out the possibility of Howe taking the reins at England. He added: “As far as I'm concerned, to be managing our national team, I think you should be English. That's my personal opinion on it. We've got some really, really talented managers around.

“Listen, Tuchel is a fantastic manager as well, he made a big call (against Argentina), but let's not forget we were five minutes away from a World Cup final. Give him a bit of slack, but he did make a big call, didn't he?

“We're all scratching our heads with it and he has to live with that decision. But for his replacement, is Eddie going to replace him down the line? Who knows what football brings anymore.”

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