Alan Pardew has admitted that other managers have questioned his decision to become the new boss at Newcastle.
The Magpies, who controversially sacked Chris Hughton on Monday, have used seven different managers over the last five-and-a-half years.
"I've had a lot of texts from managers saying 'you must be mad going there'," said Pardew, 49, on Thursday.
"But it's one of the top five clubs in England. It's a daunting prospect but something I couldn't turn down."
At a St James' Park news conference to introduce Pardew as Newcastle's new manager, the former Reading, West Ham, Charlton and Southampton boss admitted that he will have to work hard to replace popular Hughton in the minds of supporters and the players.
"The problem I'm going to have initially is the players," he said.
"I need to get my message across quickly and with clarity so as not to get any resentment at a time when they are doing reasonably well.
"The battles I need to win are on the pitch. I understood what was going to happen if I took the job."
Pardew signed a five-and-a-half year contract, with the length of the deal itself making headlines given owner Mike Ashley's hiring-and-firing record in recent years.
"I wanted to be tough on the length of contract and give myself as much stability at a club that hasn't had much stability with managers," added Pardew, who also stressed that he had been assured star striker Andy Carroll would not be sold.