After Rafa flew the Magpie roost ... we predicted Mike Ashley would grind us futher into the dirt by "appointing a MACKEM as manager!"
It had to be!
And today we learn that "Newcastle have appointed Steve Bruce as Rafael Benitez's replacement after their search for a new manager finally came to a close".
The Magpies have confirmed that the 58-year-old former Sunderland boss has left his job at Sheffield Wednesday to become the 10th permanent boss of controversial owner Mike Ashley's 12-year-plus reign and has signed a three-year deal.
No big press or photo session with Ashley and co with big smiling faces. No, none of that. More: "Push him in through the back door and let's have a laugh when the fans find out it's a Mackem."
A club statement said: "Newcastle United can now announce that Steve Bruce has been appointed as the club's new head coach.
"The 58-year-old, who was born in Corbridge, Northumberland and raised in Wallsend, returns to Tyneside after signing an initial three-year contract and will be joined at St James' Park by coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence."
Bruce and his staff are due to fly out to China to meet up with the players, who open their Premier League Asia Trophy campaign against Wolves in Nanjing on Wednesday morning.