Chris Waddle has warned Steve Bruce to think carefully about taking the Newcastle United job.

Waddle had a spell playing for the Black Cats in 1997, long after ­Newcastle had launched him to stardom in the 1980s – and was roundly booed by fans at St James' Park when he returned with their bitter local rivals.

Bruce, who managed the Mackems from 2009 to 2011, will turn his back on ­Sheffield Wednesday – another of ­Waddle's old clubs – after just 18 games in charge, and succeed Rafa Benitez as the Magpies' boss.

Waddle told the Mirror: “The Newcastle job is a massive ­challenge for Steve Bruce. Don't get me wrong, Newcastle are a huge club, but he's having to follow ­Benitez, who has been one of the most popular ­managers they've ever had.

“So he's got his work cut out – it's the biggest job he's taken on.

“He's highly regarded at Wednesday, the fans have taken to him. He had a good run late in the season and nearly got them in the play-offs. Four or five more wins and they might have been ­in the top six.

“Everybody is expecting good things from Wednesday. They're in pre-season and have been to Portugal and look fit, sharp and ready to go. So [for Bruce] to go and speak to Newcastle, a lot of people are taking a step back and asking, 'Why?' They'll be upset that he wants to leave. I'm surprised by it, too, because he was starting to build a team gearing up for the Premier League.

“Newcastle have lost ­Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez [last season's two top scorers] as well, with only a short time now ­before the first game of the season."