Newcastle have not reached a full agreement with Eddie Howe due to issues with his backroom staff, according to a report.
The former Bournemouth boss looks to be on the verge of taking over at St James' Park, with the Magpies struggling near the bottom of the English Premier League.
So far though no announcement has been forthcoming, and according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano a familiar snag may be to blame.
The Sky Italia and Guardian journalist reports that Howe has a verbal agreement to join Newcastle on a deal until 2024.
However, the deal cannot be sealed as there is an issue securing the backroom staff the Englishman would want to join him on Tyneside.
That issue will draw a wry smile from Celtic fans after their club's ultimately doomed pursuit of Howe following Neil Lennon's departure.
The highly-rated coach was on the brink of taking over at Parkhead, but problems with getting his former staff out of Bournemouth scuppered a deal.
A bombshell Celtic statement announced: "Following very positive and detailed discussions with Eddie Howe, with the belief that he would be an excellent candidate for the position of Celtic manager, we allowed time for the process, given he'd previously made it clear he was not looking to return to management until this summer at the earliest
"We can now confirm that Eddie will not be joining the club."
The Hoops ultimately appointed Ange Postecoglou, while Howe has not worked since his Bournemouth side were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2019-20 season.
