If Steve Bruce ever had any doubts about becoming the next manager of Sunderland, they were effectively dismissed by the formidable combination of his father, Joe, and Bob Stokoe.

Joe, the man who introduced Bruce to his love of Newcastle United, was on holiday with his son in Portugal when the call came from Sunderland and his advice was succinct.

After signing a contract at the end of three days of negotiations with Niall Quinn, the Sunderland chairman, Bruce said: “He [my dad] told me, ‘Go and fill your boots and enjoy the challenge.'”

Once they had reached agreement, Bruce was photographed alongside the statue of Stokoe outside the Stadium of Light and read two chapters of the former Sunderland manager's book, becoming even more convinced along the way that his emotional attachment to Newcastle will be an irrelevance if he is successful on Wearside.

Stokoe was a player at Newcastle, but became a Sunderland legend by guiding them to an FA Cup triumph in 1973. “He brought a bit of success to the club and hopefully it can rub off on me,” Bruce, 48, said. “Results on the pitch ultimately matter.

“I'm hoping I can win over the doubters I have out there. I've no problem with that. It didn't take much to persuade me. In management you are always looking for a big, big challenge and this is the perfect step for me because of the club's size and support. I believe the time is right.”

Bruce has signed a three-year contract, but said last night: “I hope to stay longer. I hope Niall Quinn comes to me after two and talks about an extension.”

He will get his wish if his ambitions for Sunderland are achieved. “There is no reason why Sunderland can't be at the right end of the table battling the big boys,” Bruce said. “I'm not going to say we will be winning the Premier League in three years, but we can be pushing for the top seven or eight slots like Fulham. It is difficult to break into the top four, but it will be our aim.”

Bruce has been left in no doubt as to the minimum requirements of Quinn and Ellis Short, the American owner of Sunderland. He said. “They don't want to be in and around the relegation fodder - that's my brief.”

Bruce, who is back in Portugal before pre-season training begins at the start of next month, has already discussed transfer targets with Quinn. “We've talked about players over the last two or three days,” he said.

Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, has not given up hope of appointing Roberto Martínez as Bruce's replacement, despite Swansea City's demand for £4million in compensation for the Spaniard. “He [Martínez] is my No1 choice, but I have not got permission to talk to him,” Whelan said. “I have great hopes I can get Roberto back to Wigan but he's done so well for Swansea and if they refuse permission I'll have to look elsewhere.”