Newcastle United Football club, have named Steve Bruce as their head coach on a three-year contract.

The 58-year-old ex-Sunderland manager Bruce resigned as Sheffield Wednesday boss on Monday following talks with Newcastle at the weekend.

The Magpies have been without a manager since Rafael Benitez left when his contract expired in June, saying the club “did not share his vision”.

Bruce was born near Newcastle and was a boyhood Magpies fan.

“There is a huge challenge ahead of us, but it’s one that my staff and I are ready for,” said Bruce. “This is my boyhood club and it was my dad’s club, so this is a very special moment for me and my family.”

Bruce will be joined by coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence, who have been part of his team at a number of his previous clubs.

Lee Charnley, managing director at Newcastle United, said: “Steve knows what this club means to supporters and to the region and he will put his heart and soul into leading our talented group of players with the full support of our staff.”

Newcastle are the 10th club Bruce has managed and this is his 11th post, having led Wigan Athletic twice.

His appointment has prompted widespread debate among fans, with factions of the club’s support still angered a deal could not be struck for Benitez to stay on at St James’ Park after more than three years at the club.

Benitez was appointed manager of Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang little more than a week after his departure and said his Newcastle vision was not shared with “those at the top of the club.”

Owner Mike Ashley has drawn fierce criticism from Newcastle's support, with a perceived lack of spending often a focus of frustration.

Last week, former England boss Sam Allardyce said he had turned down the chance to be Newcastle manager.

Bruce saw his Sheffield Wednesday side lose only three times in 18 matches after taking charge on 1 February, leading them to a 12th-place finish in the Championship.

He briefly delayed taking over at Hillsborough in order to recover from surgery and the death of both his parents in 2018.

Bruce will now fly to China to meet the squad following Wednesday's Premier League Asia Trophy match with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

#The Star