Sheffield Wednesday respond angrily to Steve Bruce's confirmation as new Newcastle head coach

Newcastle United have finally confirmed Steve Bruce’s appointment as their new head coach after a bitter stand off with Sheffield Wednesday over a compensation pay out.

Telegraph Sport revealed last month that Bruce was a leading candidate to replace Rafa Benitez in the dugout and also broke the news he was going to be given the job last week.

The decision to choose Bruce, who has signed a three-year contract, has not gone down well with many fans who are still mourning the loss of Benitez, after he rejected a new contract in order to take up a lucrative role in China with Dalian Yifang.

And the confirmation led to an angry response from Wednesday who said in their own statement: “The Club is disappointed to learn via public statement issued by Newcastle United that it has appointed former Sheffield Wednesday staff Steve Bruce, Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence.

“Regardless of the fact that the staff resigned from their positions with the Club on Monday, there remains outstanding legal issues to be resolved between the club and the staff and NUFC. The Club is currently considering its position and taking the appropriate legal advice.

Bruce’s confirmation had been held up by the fact Wednesday were demanding around £6m to release Bruce from his contract but the Magpies were willing to pay less than half that amount for him to sever ties with the Yorkshire club.

“I’m delighted and incredibly proud to be appointed as head coach of Newcastle United,” 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.

“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.”

Bruce and his assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence are due to travel to China, where the club face Wolves in a friendly on Wednesday and play another match on Saturday.

Lee Charnley, Newcastle’s managing director, said: “Steve has a deep affection for Newcastle United and we are very pleased that a coach with his vast experience and connections to the club and city has joined us.”

Bruce will face an uphill battle to win over sceptical supporters, but he was always adamant he wanted the job and has already discussed transfer targets with Charnley.

The former Hull City boss has already allowed Spanish striker Joselu to leave for Alaves and has been told a deal to sign Hoffenheim striker Joelinton is close to completion.

That deal is likely to shatter the club’s transfer record, breaking the £21m figure set when Newcastle signed Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United in January.

The mood among a large section of supporters was summed up by nine Newcastle United supporter groups - including the Magpie Group, Empty For Ashley and If Rafa Goes We Go - who issued a joint response to Steve Bruce’s appointment.

It read: “Steve Bruce is an unambitious appointment by an unambitious owner. To go from a world-class manager in Rafa Benitez, who brought stability and unity to the club to Steve Bruce - who frankly wouldn’t get a job at any other Premier League side right now - in the space of six weeks is beyond disappointing.

"Most Premier League clubs look to the continent or lower divisions for young, promising, forward-thinking managers in the mould of Pochettino, Gracia and Santo - who bring a new brand of football to a highly-competitive league. In Bruce, Mike Ashley has opted for a manager who has been relegated from the league numerous times - he isn’t even a safe pair of hands.

"Bruce’s appointment is testament to Ashley’s continued mismanagement of Newcastle United Football Club, which has been the hallmark of his tenure.  It’s now time for him to sell the club to a party that genuinely wants to take the club forward."