Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is now free to join a new club following the conclusion of his gardening leave.
The Argentine was 'relieved of his duties' by Spurs in November but under the terms of his departure the Londoners were only due compensation had he taken a new job within six months.
That deadline has now passed, two days after the Premier League season was scheduled to end.
Spurs are continuing to pay Pochettino's full £8.5million salary and, given the circumstances, would welcome the opportunity to remove him from the wage bill at the earliest opportunity.
But prospective employers will no longer need to negotiate with chairman Daniel Levy.
Pochettino has emerged as a leading target for Newcastle's prospective new owners, who are close to completing a £300million takeover from Mike Ashley – pending Premier League approval.
PCP Capital Partners, a Saudi-backed consortium, want a high-profile successor to Bruce, with Pochettino, former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, Massimiliano Allegri and Lucien Favre thought to be among their targets.
Real Madrid have also been linked with Pochettino in the past and could return for the former Spurs manager if Zinedine Zidane fails to deliver major silverware this season.
