Bruce: Taking over Newcastle United is a huge challenge

Newcastle United’s new manager Steve Bruce says he knew he will have his work cut out following his appointment on a three-year contract on Wednesday.

The former Sunderland and Aston Villa manager replace popular Spaniard Rafa Benitez, who left St James’ Park last month after failing to agree to a contract extension with club owner Mike Ashley.

“This is my boyhood club and it was my dad’s club. So, this is a very special moment for me and my family,” the 58-year-old told the Newcastle United website.

He had resigned from Championship side Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the week.

“There is a huge challenge ahead of us, but it’s one that my staff and I are ready for. We’ll roll our sleeves up and we’ll be giving it everything from the off to ensure supporters have a successful team that they can be proud of.”

The chances of success are complicated by an owner who wants to sell a big but perennially under-performing club.

Moreover, the fans are increasingly venting their anger at the lack of funds and ambition.

Newcastle United have yet to sign any players in the transfer window.

They have lost strikers Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez, who scored more than half of the Magpies’ English Premier League (EPL) goals last season.

Venezuelan Rondon was on loan from West Bromwich Albion and is set to join Benitez at Chinese superleague side Dalian Yifang while Perez has joined Leicester City.

Bruce has plenty of Premier League experience, managing 392 games, but he has also twice suffered relegation with Birmingham City and Hull City.

He will now have to win over fans unhappy to see Benitez go and underwhelmed by his replacement.

The Twitter hashtag #BruceOut was trending already after the announcement.

Read Also: Tammy Abraham pops up on Newcastle’s transfer radar

Newcastle United Football club managing director Lee Charnley said the club would “be fully prepared for the challenge of a new Premier League season”.(Reuters/NAN)