Steve Bruce has resigned as manager of Hull City just three weeks before the start of the new Premier League season.
Reports emerged this afternoon that the 55-year-old was undergoing 'make or break' talks with the newly-promoted Tigers due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his position.
The club have put takeover talks on hold until September, but Bruce was eager to be given assurances over his future, which he has not received.
The former Manchester United centre-back was recently interviewed for the England job, although he is expected to miss out on the role to Sam Allardyce, who could be appointed later today.
Bruce's resignation is understood to be unrelated to his link with the England post, despite him publicly admitting that he wanted to be appointed as Roy Hodgson's successor.
During his four-year stay at the KC Stadium, Bruce led the club to two promotions to the Premier League, either side of a relegation, in addition to the 2014 FA Cup final.
His second promotion came via the playoffs last season, but even after that triumph Bruce warned that his future remained up in the air due to the uncertainty over the sale of the club.
Last month Bruce penned an open letter to fans confirming that he would stay on as manager, but he has now left the club with less than a month to go before their return to the top flight.
The Tigers have just 13 fit players in their squad at the moment and must now search for a successor to Bruce, with Roy Keane being installed as the early favourite by the bookies.
The club have not yet released an official statement addressing Bruce's exit.
Barney Corkhill
