Steve Bruce says he is determined to enjoy football again after returning to management following his axing by Newcastle.
The veteran boss cut a disconsolate figure at Newcastle in the final months of his reign before his sacking in October by the Toon, who now have Eddie Howe in charge.
Bruce has subsequently turned down job offers from abroad and one in England.
But the Manchester United legend explained he didn’t have to think twice when approached by West Brom CEO Ron Gourlay.
The Baggies, who are sixth in the Championship, offered the job straight to Bruce after sacking Valerian Ismael earlier this week.
Have Your Say! Will Steve Bruce lead the Baggies to promotion? Tell us your prediction.
Bruce,61, reflected: “I always left it until the phone rings.
“I have had one or two opportunities from abroad and one in particular in this country.
“But I didn’t think about it.
“It was different story when I got the phone call off Ron.
“Do I still have the enthusiasm for it , do I still want to work again? Yes.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to go and enjoy managing.”
Bruce led Newcastle to 13th and then 12th last season in the top-flight after taking over in July 2019.
But he kopped a lot of flak in the process from fans unhappy at the lack of progress under former owner Mike Ashley.
Asked about the abuse, Bruce, refreshed after a Caribbean holiday, added: “You reflect on it and you look at it and you wanted to go away.
“The only way really to do it for myself was to get back on the horse and not take all the criticism to heart.
“That was the only way to put it behind me and move forward.
“Newcastle is gone. It was a chapter of my football life.
“I want the club to do well under Eddie. I want them to succeed.
“It was a difficult time but maybe in a few years people will think finishing 12th and 13th after wasn’t so bad after all.
“But that chapter has now left me, I want to look forward with West Brom and I am very confident we can do that.”
The experienced boss has signed an 18-month contract at The Hawthorns to replace Ismael who was sacked after just one win in seven games.
Bruce is now following in the footsteps of Ron Saunders by managing Albion as well as Aston Villa and Birmingham previously in the Midlands.
His assistants from Newcastle, Stephen Clemence and Steve Agnew, have joined him as well as son Alex Bruce, who has done his coaching badges.
