SHOLA AMEOBI insists that now is the time to get behind Steve Bruce after it was confirmed the former Sheffield Wednesday boss has been confirmed as Newcastle United’s new head coach.

Ex-Magpies striker Ameobi, who was appointed as the club’s loan coordinator last month, admits that he is aware of the frustrations being felt among the supporters on Tyneside following Rafa Benitez’s exit to China.

However, former Sunderland manager Bruce has now been handed a three-year deal by Newcastle and he is en route to Shanghai with coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence to start work. They will not be there in time to take charge of this morning’s Asia Trophy opener with Wolves.

And Ameobi said: “Everyone will want him to do well, we are passionate about our local guys doing well. He is a local boy and I am sure they will get behind him once he gets into the job.

“There’s local pride at stake, of course there is, there is a rivalry with Sunderland. And Rafa is a high calibre manager who if any club loses the fans will be disappointed. I was too to see Rafa go, he was a top manager. He had the love and support.

“He decided things weren’t right for him and the club has to move forward, we have to get behind whoever is appointed and Steve is lucky to get the job. It is important we back him, now.

“When we do all come together like we did under Rafa we can do good things and that has to happen now. Steve is a local lad. He wanted this job and now he has been appointed let’s get behind him and that’s what I will be doing.”

Corbridge-born Bruce has intriguingly been confirmed as a head coach rather than manager, which highlights how he will not have control over the club’s transfer dealings.

He is still understood to have been told there will be the £50m Benitez would have had to spend, plus they have since sold Ayoze Perez for £30m. Hoffenheim’s £40m-rated Brazilian striker is Newcastle’s top striker target this summer following Salomon Rondon’s departure..

Ameobi told Sky Sports: “The club are fully behind Steve, there was speculation that they were looking at others. One thing I would say he has been appointed as head coach, going against everything Steve has been before. It will be interesting to see that dynamic, how it works.

“I am a Newcastle fan, the perfect scenario is you want to see top players coming to the club. Only the guys who make those decisions will know. We do want to see top players come in.

“There are rumours Mike Ashley wants to sell the club, potential buyers … I am one to look at the situation we are in and try to see the best scenario, so with Steve Bruce coming in we have to try to flourish as a club. We have to try to support him the best we can.”

Ameobi knows though that time is running out for Newcastle to invest in the squad, with Bruce’s first Premier League game in charge against Arsenal on August 11 when sections of fans are planning a boycott.

And Ameobi said: “Steve is coming in to a tough situation. Having to start the season with two or three weeks before start of the season. We need to stay in the Premier League, to move forward our Premier League status has to be the priority.

“I know Steve will have ambition beyond that but for me the bottom line is to stay in the Premier League, then he will want to bring in the players he wants. We know how we well Rafa did. Ultimately if we can retain our status, mid-table, then that would be a fantastic season for Newcastle.”

Newcastle started their Asia Trophy campaign under coaches Ben Dawson and Neil Redfearn in China before Bruce arrives.

And Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles, speaking before the game, has called for a united front in a bid to take Newcastle forward having had to start pre-season without a manager.

Lascelles said: "We are all looking forward to it, waiting for it to come in. Now it has been confirmed and we are looking forward to it. He is a well known manager and has done well in the Premier League and Championship.

"Ben and Neil have taken over, whatever they say we have respected their decisions. Most clubs are settled in by pre-season, unfortunately it didn't happen for us but it wasn't the end of the world. Now the new manager is set to take over. We have to stick together, as a one, that's the best we can do. We can't be pointing the finger, we have to stick together and that's the best way to be."