'I'm proud to be here' – Graeme Jones reacts to his Newcastle United appointment

The Magpies confirmed the appointment of former Belgium assistant boss Jones to the club’s coaching staff today, having paid around £250,000 to free the Geordie from his contract at AFC Bournemouth.

Jones will add to the number of coaches on Bruce’s first-team staff, with Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence, Steve Harper and Ben Dawson all having an input on the club’s Benton training pitches.

"I'm proud to be here at the team I supported as a boy, and all of my life,” he said.

"During my playing and coaching career, it has always been the first result I would look for after my own.

"Now, I've hopefully got a chance to have a direct influence on results and the future of the football club, which is something I'm very excited for."

There’s been some talk about whether this is an appointment made above Bruce’s head – and the manager has done little to dispel that of late with his initial reluctance to discuss the deal, then lack of glowing reference in his pre-Leeds press conference.The boss, however, admit he is delighted to welcome Jones to the club.

Newcastle United head coach, Steve Bruce, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Graeme on board. He is vastly experienced and I could tell speaking to him that he is hugely passionate about the club and very keen to join us."He is from here but has been away for 35 years so the opportunity to come in and give us a hand is one he has jumped at."

Jones was previously assistant to Cherries boss Jason Tindall.

He has also worked on the coaching staff at West Brom as well as having spells under Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic, Everton and Belgium.

Jones has worked as a manager in his own, at Luton Town, but was sacked with the club struggling in the Championship.

As a a player Jones played for Doncaster Rovers, Wigan Athletic, St Johnstone, Southend, Boston United and Hamilton Academical.

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