Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie is excited about the prospect of playing under new Magpies boss Steve Bruce.
Bruce has been appointed as Newcastle manager on an initial three-year deal and his assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence will join him in the North East from Sheffield Wednesday.
After being appointed, he said: "I’m delighted and incredibly proud to be appointed as head coach of Newcastle United.
"This is my boyhood club and it was my dad’s club, so this is a very special moment for me and my family.
"There is a huge challenge ahead of us, but it’s one that my staff and I are ready for.
"We’ll roll our sleeves up and we’ll be giving it everything from the off to ensure supporters have a successful team that they can be proud of."
Ritchie is currently out in China with the Newcastle squad and will start in this morning's Premier League Asia Trophy semi-final against Wolves.
The Scotland international spoke of his disappointment about Benitez's departure yesterday but reacting to the news of Bruce's appointment on Sky Sports, he is looking forward to working under Bruce this season.
"Steve Bruce has been in the game for a long time and played and managed at a high level so I'm sure he'll be fantastic for the club," Ritchie said.
"A really exciting season is in prospect."
