It's safe to say that not many Newcastle fans would have foreseen Steve Bruce being linked with the Manchester United job when he was finally relieved of his duties at St James' Park but that's what Sol Campbell has done, following the Red Devils' 4-1 loss at Watford.
Campbell was on punditry duty for PL Analysis TV and posed the question of what Manchester United could do in terms of an interim manager, should they choose to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, which they subsequently announced on Sunday morning.
The former Magpies centre-back mentioned that it would be very costly to sack Solskjaer and - knowing they might have their eyes set on a big target in the summer - might want a cheaper option as manager for six months.
"You know, it is a really sticky situation," he said. “Do they stick or move? If they are moving, it is costing them a lot of money, to move Ole on and bring somebody else in, it’s a lot of money.
“I know they have got a lot of money to go and spend…and you do have to look at the books.
"Is a Steve Bruce for six months any good?" asked Campbell. "Just for six months? I don't know, who knows. It's a real sticky wicket there. Whatever they do, it might be the wrong one."
It's safe to say that Newcastle fans would doubt that their former boss would be the right man for the job, despite his Old Trafford links, considering that he left their team winless in the Premier League after eight games this season, with little sign of any improvement.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer was sacked by Manchester United following a run of just one win in their last seven games. Amongst that run, they lost five times and conceded seventeen goals.
It does seem likely that the board at Old Trafford do want to appoint an interim manager at this time, with the club mentioning that in their statement confirming Solskjaer's sacking. While there aren't as many available options as the Manchester United board - and fans alike - would hope for, it seems safe to rule Bruce out of the running.
