Steve Bruce admits there are a 'lot of relieved people' after HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) finally dropped its criminal investigation into Newcastle United.
Both the Magpies and West Ham's club offices were raided by HMRC officers as part of the Operation Loom tax probe more than four years ago and computers, mobile phones and financial records were seized
Lee Charnley, Newcastle's managing director, was arrested but later released without charge and it is important to stress no formal charges were ever brought.
Mike Ashley released a statement on Thursday to say he was 'pleased' that the investigation had been 'discontinued' and the Newcastle owner called on 'the dark forces that are preventing this football club from becoming the powerhouse that the fans deserve to step aside'.
Following Newcastle's 4-2 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, Bruce was asked about the matter for the first time.
"Well, obviously, it happened long before my time but when I hear the stories of it and for it to go on for four years, there's a lot of relieved people," he told Sky Sports.
"It maybe shouldn't have got to the way it was so I'm delighted for Lee, in particular, who's had to fight it all for the last four years or whatever it is.
"I'm delighted for the club that the statement was there and that the whole thing has gone away."
