BRUCE ALMIGHTY

Waddle: Newcastle job will be biggest Steve’s ever taken on

CHRIS WADDLE has warned Steve Bruce that the Newcastle United job is “a massive challenge’’.

Waddle tasted life on both sides of the North-East divide – and now former Sunderland boss Bruce is ready to find out how that feels, by taking the Toon reins.

Waddle had a spell playing for the Black Cats in 1997, long after Newcastle had launched him to stardom in the 80s – and was roundly booed by fans at St James’ Park when he returned with their bitter local rivals.

Bruce, who managed the Mackems from 2009 to 2011, will turn his back on Sheffield Wednesday – another of Waddle’s old clubs – after just 18 games in charge, and succeed Rafa Benitez (above) as the Magpies’ boss.

It has always been Northumberlandborn Bruce’s ambition to manage the club he supported as a boy.

But he is walking into a storm on Tyneside, as fans vent their fury at Newcastle owner Mike Ashley for failing to agree a new contract with Benitez, who has taken charge of Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang.

Waddle said: “The Newcastle job is a massive challenge for Steve Bruce. Don’t get me wrong, Newcastle are a huge club, but he’s having to follow Benitez, who has been one of the most popular managers they’ve ever had.

“So he’s got his work cut out – it’s the biggest job he’s taken on.

“He’s highly regarded at Wednesday, the fans have taken to him. He had a good run towards the end of the season and nearly got them in the play-offs. Four or five more wins and they might have been in the top six.

“Everybody is expecting good things from Wednesday. They’re in pre-season and have been to Portugal and look fit, sharp and ready to go.

“So [for Bruce] to go and speak to Newcastle, a lot of people are taking a step back and asking, ‘Why?’.

“They’ll be upset that he wants to leave. I’m surprised by it, too, because he was starting to build a team gearing up for the Premier League.

“Newcastle have lost Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez as well, with only a short time now before the first game of the season.’’

Ex-Manchester United skipper Bruce, 58, has been frustrated to miss out on the Newcastle post in the past, but Waddle added: “I would have thought that Old Trafford would have been the job he has always wanted.

“He’s managed Sunderland too, of course, which the Newcastle fans will pick up on very quickly.

“I don’t think he’s scared of a challenge, and he’s had some success at a few clubs, and not much success at others.

“I like the bloke. He talks a lot of sense and wants his players to work hard. He knows the Geordie public, which will stand him in good stead.

“If he keeps Newcastle up, he will have done well. But he’s not daft – if it isn’t working out, he’ll expect a lot of pressure from the fans and the owner.’’