Steve Bruce has opened up on his decision to attempt to follow Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United.

The Corbridge-born boss has now joined up with his squad in Shanghai and will take charge of the wooden spoon clash in the Premier League Asia Trophy on Saturday.

Speaking after taking training for the first time Bruce said: “I know in some peoples' eyes, I'm not Rafa and I know there are big shoes to fill but believe me, I'll give it everything I possibly can and hopefully I prove the doubters wrong.”

Bruce was advised to turn the job down by Alan Shearer but said: “The easy thing for me to say would have been no.

“But at my stage of life and career - and back a few years ago, I regretted it.

“That lingered around me for years when Sir Bobby left.

“So to be given the opportunity again - it’s something simply I had to take.

“I had to grasp it - I knew it would be difficult.

“As I said the easy thing would to have been to say no but I just hope that people show the respect which you obviously only gain by getting a results and doing the job, but hopefully that will go hand in hand.”