Steve Bruce 'desperately wanted to make it work' at Hull before resigning three weeks ahead of new season

The 55-year-old guided the East Yorkshire club to two promotions and an FA Cup final

(Getty)

Steve Bruce has penned an open letter to Hull City supporters after resigning as manager of the newly-promoted club with just three weeks to go until the new Premier League season.

The 55-year-old guided the East Yorkshire club to two promotions and an FA Cup final in four years at the KCOM Stadium but has endured a fractious relationship with vice-chairman Ehab Allam throughout the previous promotion-winning campaign.

Bruce, who forsook any compensation to leave the Tigers on Friday, held “informal discussions” with the Football Association about replacing Roy Hodgson as England manager but ultimately lost out to close friend Sam Allardyce.

Ex-Everton boss Roberto Martínez, Mike Phelan, the Hull assistant manager, and former Leeds United head coach Steve Evans are among the candidates to succeed Bruce.

Writing directly to the club’s supporters in the Hull Daily Mail, the former Birmingham City and Sunderland manager said: “It was with a heavy heart that I ended my time as Hull City manager on Friday. The four years I spent at the club were among the happiest times of my managerial career.”

Bruce resigned so close to the new season with just 12 fit players and little sign of investment in the transfer market with takeover talks shelved as chairman Dr Assem Allam recovers from illness.

Stopping short of directly thanking the Allam family, who unsuccessfully pushed for a name change to Hull Tigers, Bruce added: “I desperately wanted to make it work this summer and be a Premier League manager again but, sadly, it wasn't to be.

Bruce celebrates after Diame gives Hull the lead in the play-off final (Getty)

“Nevertheless, I've left Hull City with some fantastic memories that I'll always cherish, including just eight weeks ago in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

“I must also thank all the players and staff who have worked with me in the last four years. The role of a manager can be lonely but the support I've had has been second to none.

“Special appreciation goes to honorary president Peter Chapman, who played a part in bringing me to the club in 2012. He's worked tirelessly over the last four years and I'm thoroughly thankful.”

Hull face champions Leicester City at home on the opening weekend of the Premier League in 19 days meaning the hunt for Bruce’s replacement will need to be undertaken swiftly.