By Paddy Kenny

12th Apr, 2021 | 5:00pm

Bruce hanging on by a thread at Newcastle amid two major takeover developments - Kenny

Steve Bruce looks “lost” at Newcastle United and will be sacked immediately if a takeover can be completed. 

That is according to ex-Premier League shot-stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively after Football Insider revealed that Newcastle are quietly confident that a Saudi-backed takeover will be given the green light by the Premier League. 

Earlier last week, ex-Roma owner James Pallotta hinted he is open to a takeover, telling The Athletic: “[Newcastle] would interesting to be a part of.”

Bruce has retained the backing of current majority shareholder Mike Ashley throughout the season despite the club being sucked into a relegation battle.

A run of one defeat in six games, as well as the nosediving form of Fulham, has steered them six points clear of the relegation zone.

But that has not appeased the Toon Army and Kenny insists that a new owner would axe Bruce as soon as a deal was over the line.

He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce, the fans are on their back massively.

“I feared for them a few weeks ago but now I think they’ll stay up. I don’t know whether a takeover will depend on if they stay up or go down.

“But a new manager would definitely be one of the first things new owners would look at. He looks lost, Bruce.

“You know how passionate those Geordies are. They want him out really badly. If they get a new owner in, they’ll get a new manager in and start afresh and build up from scratch.”

Bruce, a boyhood Newcastle fan, was appointed as Rafael Benitez successor at St. James’ Park in July 2019.

Newcastle earned a respectable 13th-place finish in his first season in charge but have slipped further down the standings in 2020-21.

In other news, top pundit claims Eddie Howe eyeing up Newcastle United job amid Celtic development.