Steve Bruce has defended his decision to delay starting work as Sheffield Wednesday manager, insisting it had been done with the club’s blessing and was due to health concerns.

Bruce, who was heavily criticised for taking the time off by BBC pundits Danny Murphy and Ruud Gullit on Sunday during coverage of Wednesday’s FA Cup tie against Chelsea, has had two operations since leaving Aston Villa in October and needed time to recuperate before he returned to the stress and strain of day-to-day management.

The former Manchester United captain, who has been in Barbados following the second round of surgery, had also promised his family that he would take a break after the trauma of losing both parents, in quick succession last year, took a huge toll.

However, the 58-year-old did not hide anything from Wednesday when discussing whether he would replace Jos Luhukay and, although his appointment was announced at the start of the month, his new employers were happy to for him to begin when he was fit and ready.

“I have had two operations and I’ve been recovering in Barbados,” Bruce told Telegraph Sport. “I did not hide anything from Sheffield Wednesday and they were perfectly happy with the plan. It was done with their full support.