Former Celtic frontrunner Eddie Howe is reportedly "eager" to speak to Newcastle United - despite being the clear second choice.
Howe is now the main target to succeed Steve Bruce after talks with Unai Emery dramatically collapsed.
The former Bournemouth boss Howe has been in the frame for the St James' Park gig ever since the big-money Saudi Arabia led takeover.
However, the main focus has been landing Emery from Villareal, but the La Liga boss has pulled out of the running for the English Premier League job.
That leaves Howe as the last man standing, with the Newcastle Chronicle reporting he is desperate to speak with the Newcastle higher ups.
It's a case of role reversal for Howe after he walked away from the Celtic job after months of talks.
The Parkhead board pivoted to left-field candidate Ange Postecoglou as the club looked to kick-start the rebuild after a nightmare season.
It's an eerily similar situation that the Englishman is now walking into at the Toon, and Howe could learn a thing or two from the man who did take over at Celtic Park.
Postecoglou has won over the fans with his all-out attacking style as he continues his overhaul in Glasgow's east end.
He quickly shrugged of questions about being the second choice to Howe in his first press conference, stating: "I might have been fifth choice!
"It doesn’t bother me, I’m just happy to have been given the opportunity. That’s all that matters to me."
He kept Bournemouth in the Premier League for five straight seasons after leading them up from League One.
But he walked out after their relegation back to the Championship and has remained out of work since.
