rookie Wolves boss Terry Connor will have his work cut out trying to keep the club in the Premier League.
Bruce left Sunderland earlier this season amid a run of poor form which saw the fans at the Stadium of Shite turn against him.
Bruce said he thought his Geordie roots were the cause of much of the abuse, and added: "It was vicious. And don't let anyone tell you that being out of work doesn't hurt.
"You are deemed a failure, and I don't think I am."
Bruce was interviewed by Wolves during a much-criticised recrutiment process in the wake of Mick McCarthy's departure from Molineux.
Despite Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey saying it was "not a job for a novice", they eventually elevated Connor, McCartney's assistant, after a number of higher-profile candidates seemingly turned it down.
Bruce: "I went for an interview and at one stage I thought it was close.
"I didn't go for a second interview, although there was dialogue.
"In the end they decided to go with Terry and that is entirely their prerogative.
"I wish him and them all the best because it is a difficult job for an experienced manager, let alone someone trying to cut their teeth.
"For me, it wasn't to be, which is a shame because it's got all the ingredients to be a really good job for someone."