Steve Bruce says he couldn't resist the chance to become Newcastle manager, even though he knows it will be a tough job.
The lifelong Magpies fan has been linked with the hot seat at St James' Park three times previously but has failed to land the job on each occasion.
However, the 58-year-old former Hull City, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday boss has finally got his chance after signing a three-year contract with Newcastle earlier this week.
While Bruce is delighted to be able to call himself Newcastle United manager, he admits he is going into a tricky situation with fans unhappy the club were unable to retain Bruce's predecessor Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard walked away when his contract expired in June after failing to agree an extension and his departure was followed by the sale of Ayoze Perez to Leicester City.
Newcastle are currently the only club not to sign anyone this summer and Bruce has his work cut out to make sure his team are ready for the new season, which gets underway at home to Arsenal on 11th August.
Newcastle are 29/10 to get off to a winning start with Arsenal 19/20 and the draw 12/5.
With the fans unhappy with how the club is being run by owner Mike Ashley, Bruce admits it is hardly the ideal situation to walk into but says he couldn't turn the job down.
"I'm like every other Geordie, I've lived the dream," Bruce told nufcTV.
"I know in some people's eyes, I'm not Rafa and I understand there are big shoes to fill.
"The easy thing for me would have been to say no but it is something (the job) that I simply had to take.
"I had to grasp it, I knew it was going to be difficult but I hope people show the respect you obviously get with a few results and doing the job."
Newcastle are 9/4 to be relegated this season.
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Steve Bruce says he couldn't resist the chance to become Newcastle manager, even though he knows it will be a tough job.
The lifelong Magpies fan has been linked with the hot seat at St James' Park three times previously but has failed to land the job on each occasion.
However, the 58-year-old former Hull City, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday boss has finally got his chance after signing a three-year contract with Newcastle earlier this week.
While Bruce is delighted to be able to call himself Newcastle United manager, he admits he is going into a tricky situation with fans unhappy the club were unable to retain Bruce's predecessor Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard walked away when his contract expired in June after failing to agree an extension and his departure was followed by the sale of Ayoze Perez to Leicester City.
Newcastle are currently the only club not to sign anyone this summer and Bruce has his work cut out to make sure his team are ready for the new season, which gets underway at home to Arsenal on 11th August.
Newcastle are 29/10 to get off to a winning start with Arsenal 19/20 and the draw 12/5.
With the fans unhappy with how the club is being run by owner Mike Ashley, Bruce admits it is hardly the ideal situation to walk into but says he couldn't turn the job down.
"I'm like every other Geordie, I've lived the dream," Bruce told nufcTV.
"I know in some people's eyes, I'm not Rafa and I understand there are big shoes to fill.
"The easy thing for me would have been to say no but it is something (the job) that I simply had to take.
"I had to grasp it, I knew it was going to be difficult but I hope people show the respect you obviously get with a few results and doing the job."
Newcastle are 9/4 to be relegated this season.
Source: bet365.com