Steve Bruce: Sheffield Wednesday taking legal advice after manager named new Newcastle boss

Championship club issues strongly-worded statement to condemn Newcastle for their appointment of Bruce as their new manager three days after he quit Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday are taking legal advice following Newcastle United’s appointment of Steve Bruce as their new manager, three days after he resigned from his position at Hillsborough.

Bruce quit his role as Wednesday manager on Monday along with first-team coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence, with all three appointed by Mike Ashley at St James’ Park following the departure of Rafa Benitez at the end of June.

Bruce has signed a three-year contract to become Newcastle manager, but Sheffield Wednesday are far from pleased with how the matter was handled and claim that “legal issues” are yet to be resolved, with a dispute over the compensation fee that the Magpies will pay the Championship club arising during negotiations.

In a club statement, Sheffield Wednesday said: “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 Newcastle United. The club is currently considering its position and taking the appropriate legal advice.”

The Championship club are known to be furious with Newcastle’s approach and compensation offer, which fell short of their valuation around £5m.

But Newcastle pressed on with their unveiling on Thursday, though the task at hand will have been made crystal clear to Bruce as the side suffered a one-sided 4-0 defeat against Premier League rivals Wolves on their pre-season tour of China.

Bruce, who could join the team in China before the end of the week if he can obtain a visa, will have seen his new side on TV concede three goals in the first half as Diogo Jota fired past Karl Darlow twice either side of a Morgan Gibbs-White effort, before Wolves claimed a fourth late on when Newcastle substitute Thomas Allan headed into his own goal.

However, Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles used the pre-season friendly to call for a united front between the manager, squad, club owner and – most importantly – the fans, who already hold a resentment towards Bruce due to his previous stint as Sunderland manager, combined with the perceived lack of ambition in allowing a manager of the calibre of Benitez to leave and replacing him with someone who has failed to leave his mark on the Premier League.

"I've always said it, we've just got to stick together as one, that's the best thing we can do,” Lascelles told Sky Sports.

Steve Bruce will take over Newcastle United after Rafa Benitez left at the end of last season (PA)

"We can't go pointing a finger or having a go at anyone, we've just got to stick together, that's the best way.

"We're all looking forward to it. We've been waiting for him to come in. There's been speculation and now it's confirmed, we're pleased and we're looking forward to it. He's a very well-known manager who's done well in the Premier League and the Championship.

"We've been working hard with Ben and Neil - they've done a great job and the rest of the staff have helped us out as well. Now the manager has come in, we're really looking forward to it."