NEWCASTLE, UK—Less than 24-hours after signing a 3-year deal at St James Park, Steve Bruce has been sacked by Newcastle United following what the club has described as ‘a terrible run of result’.

Following the Magpies’ 4-0 friendly defeat against Wolves, Bruce was summoned to Ashley’s office to explain the team’s poor performance since his arrival at the club earlier that day.

Bruce is believed to have been introducing himself to the players when at approximately 11:35pm local time he was informed by Mike Ashley that he was to be relieved off his duties with immediate effect.

“The club would like to place on record our thanks to Steve for his contribution to the team over the past 21 hours and wish him well for the future,” read the Newcastle stock statement. “The club now begins the process of searching for a new manager who hasn’t previously managed the club.”

Ashley is hopeful of having a new manager in place by the time the Premier League starts and having him replaced again by October.

In unrelated news, Rafa Benitez admitted his surprise at waking up to 39 missed calls from a Newcastle number this morning.

For more, follow our football page on Facebook and Twitter…