NEWCASTLE fans finally got their wish with Steve Bruce given the boot.
His sacking comes after a dismal run of results, and more significantly, an ambitious Saudi takeover that is planning to completely overhaul the club.
The fans will be delighted after voicing their unhappiness in the stands at St James' Park for the past year.
But, whatever they say about the ex-Man Utd star, you can't help but love some of the things he's done, even if you don't agree with some of his decisions in running the football club.
From hosting the worst house party EVER to writing Agatha Christie style mystery novels revolving around the beautiful game, here's seven reasons why he's loveable.
RUBBISH PARTY
In 1993, Manchester United ended a 26-year run without a title by lifting the Premier League without playing a game.
Once Oldham beat title rivals Aston Villa, Bruce rallied the troops round his for a tame house party.
Their Wags were there, as was Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes – sporting a backwards baseball cap.
The beer was flowing too, but they weren't at a super club like many footballers would be today.
Most of them were parked in Bruce's living room or kitchen. Astonishingly, someone decided to film it all on a camcorder.
MOVE OVER AGATHA CHRISTIE
Between 1999-2000, Bruce fancied himself as a writer – penning three books, Striker! Sweeper! and Defender!
The novels, which Bruce himself called "a laughing stock", are semi-autobiographical – the lead character is called Steve Barnes.
And the plots and the literature itself are laughable too.
However, somehow they've become cult classics that have fetched up to £200 on eBay and Amazon, if you can find the rarities that is.
DRIVING A TRACTOR
During lockdown some of us learned new skills.
Steve Bruce was not immune to developing himself further either. He relocated to a home in Cheshire, where he busied himself with a bit of farming.
He brilliantly told the Daily Star: "I have been busy on the tractor turning the land over.
"And I'll be busy over the next few weeks, doing the house up as well.
"I'd far rather be at the Newcastle training ground with my staff and the players.
"But this gives me the opportunity to do something completely different."
SOCIAL MEDIA
It's fair to say Bruce isn't a fan of social media.
What with the constant abuse he received online from Magpies fans during his tenure, he can be forgiven.
But, it did help him find his lost dog, as he revealed once in a press conference.
"I was talking with my son about abuse a referee was getting and he said ‘Dad, it’s nothing compared to what you get.’ I looked and was like ‘wow’, Bruce said.
"But on the flip side social media got me my dog back after it ran away from a Firework display."
NOISY CHAIR SITTER
In fairness we all do it, so we're not bashing Bruce.
And, if anything, it makes him completely relatable.
But, like your uncle might, every time he sits or gets up from a chair for a press conference, he's certainly noisy with it.
The effort of getting up is sometimes too much for Bruce, who lets out an "ohoo" whenever he does. Just watch the video.
QUICKER THAN SAINT-MAXIMIN
If FIFA 22 would have you believe, Steve Bruce is grease lightning.
A clip from the popular video game showing Newcastle winning a penalty shootout and the coach running onto the pitch went viral last month.
Hilariously, the pixel version of Bruce outsprints ALL his subs as he legs it from his technical area to celebrate with his players on the pitch.
One fan tweeted: "I knew FIFA pace was a lie when Steve Bruce outpaced the whole Newcastle team."
NEARLY BECAME A PLUMBER
Bruce played for Newcastle schoolboys, but was rejected by the club when he turned 16.
There were also snubs from Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday and Southport, who all deemed him too small to play centre back.
Thinking his football dream might be over, he signed on to be a trainee plumber at Swan Hunter shipyard.
As fate would have it, a week before he was due to start, Gillingham have him a call and offered him an apprenticeship. The rest is history.
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