"One of the first things I will be doing is sitting down with Michael Owen and having a little chat with him.
"I will be asking him does he want to stay with us or go? Obviously I would like him to stay because he has that rare commodity of being able to score goals.
"What I think Michael needs is more time to get on track for us and hopefully he will decide to take that time.
"Since Freddy Shepherd make it clear he wanted me then there was no doubt where I would be going.
"After leaving Bolton Wanderers last week I was expecting a longer rest but once Freddy opened that door I was in.
"When I met Freddy I could feel his passion for Newcastle United. He is a passionate supporter and it's well known throughout football that he has always supported his managers.
"Now it is up to everyone from Freddy down to me the players and even the tea lady to give these fans the success they deserve.
"I suppose this is the greatest challenge I have ever had.
"But it is one I am excited about and one I am looking forward to. It's no secret that what has happened in the past is not good enough for a club as big as Newcastle United and it is now my job to change all that."
"Everyone starts with a clean sheet.
"England is not for me. I believe Steve McClaren is secure in his job for a while now although maybe things would change if we did not qualify for the European finals.
"But that would have nothing to do with me. I had a good run the last time but now I am focusing on the job of managing Newcastle United, just like I did with Bolton Wanderers when I did not get the England job last year.
"Don't forget being manager of Newcastle United is a massive job and I am not thinking about anything else other than try to bring success to this football club.
"Gary Speed is one of the best signings I have made in my managerial career. It is terrific that he is still playing such good football as this late stage in his career.
"He was a signing I thought a lot about and now I have to make some signings for Newcastle United and there a few players around Europe who I am sure will do a good job for us.
"But I will be careful who I recruit. What we need at Newcastle United are not good players but players who have the mentality to play in front of 52,000 supporters every week.
"To play every week in a stadium like St James' Park is really a daunting task and I have got to find players for us who can handle the big stage and step into a great arena.
"We will be building a club with infrastructure and one for the future and if it happens in the short term all well and good.
"This (ugly football) is a tag which has been labelled on Bolton Wanderers because we were so good at our jobs.
"Some of the big teams used to use it as an excuse because they could not beat us and it is a figment of their imagination.
"The only tactics I know are those which win matches and that's what we did at Bolton Wanderers and what I am hoping and expecting to do here.
"I feel I have achieved a little bit in my career but I want to achieve a lot more here at Newcastle United.
"I will expect all my staff to work 24-7 just like I will be doing.
"We will be working as a family unit and it does not matter if we don't like each other because our only aim to is bring success to this football club.
"In the end that comes down to the players on the field, and everything I and my staff do will be designed to give the players all our support."
