The 55-year-old, who did not take training on Friday, had said earlier this summer he was uncertain of his future at Hull, who are up for sale.

Bruce became Hull boss in 2012, and led them to promotion last season.

This week he was interviewed by the Football Association over the vacant England's manager role, which Sam Allardyce is set to take.

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Bruce is now odds-on favourite with some bookmakers to return to former club Sunderland and replace Allardyce, if as expected he becomes England boss.

During his time at the KC Stadium, Bruce led Hull to two Premier League promotions, an FA Cup final and Europa League qualification.

He raised doubts about his position at Hull following the play-off final win over Sheffield Wednesday in May.

He suggested at the time that he could leave the East Yorkshire outfit unless there were "certain assurances that we're all moving in the right direction".

credit: bbc