Rumours surrounding the potential takeover of Newcastle United by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund continue to rumble on.
Speculation is swirling that they may look to replace Magpies manager Steve Bruce once they have acquired the club, though any talk of making a change in the hot seat is very premature at this point.
Even so, such rumours are inevitable as new owners often move to bring in a manager of their choice once they have taken control of a club. The names currently being linked with the top job at St James’ Park range from former Newcastle managers to other successful names formerly of the Premier League.
Not all of the names will necessarily be too familiar though. Jorge Jesus is currently joint-fifth in the Sky Bet odds alongside Massimiliano Allegri at 10/1, and currently manages Flamengo in Brazil.
His side took on Liverpool in the last Club World Cup final, losing 1-0 after extra time.
Jesus hails from Portugal originally, and won the Primeira Liga three times with Benfica, while also guiding them to successive Europa League finals. He has a decent pedigree, but reports from Brazil state Flamengo are looking to extend his contract to the end of 2021.
The next man in the betting would certainly be a sentimental choice: Kevin Keegan. The two-time Newcastle manager is priced at 9/1 to be their next permanent manager, and has been here before.
Keegan was brought in as the Magpies’ first new boss following Mike Ashley’s takeover of the club. But the honeymoon didn’t last, and eight months later he was gone.
“A manager must have the right to manage and clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want,“ he said upon leaving. Having had his fingers burned in the past, would he risk that again, even under new ownership?
If not, perhaps former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini – who is priced at 8/1 – will prove to be the man. The Italian has been out of club football since taking charge of Italy in 2018.
Mancini has done well, securing qualification for Euro 2020 and guiding his side to win their last 11 internationals in a row, a new Italian record. Perhaps more pertinently, he took Manchester City to their first Premier League title following their big money takeover, so there are clear parallels with the potential changes at Newcastle.
While Keegan is the ultimate hero manager at St James’ Park, Rafa Benitez might be next in line. The Spaniard is second in the betting at 3/1, and is currently in the first 12 months of a two-and-a-half year contract with Dalian Professional in China.
And he certainly worked miracles at Newcastle. After winning the Championship in his first full season at the helm, Benitez then guided the Magpies to 10th and 13th place finishes in the Premier League despite little being made available in the way of transfer funds.
But top of the list of potential new gaffers is Mauricio Pochettino. The former manager of Tottenham is odds on at 4/5 to be Newcastle’s next permanent boss. After what he achieved in north London, Pochettino is going to be in high demand with top clubs across the world.
He has spoken of wanting to return to Spurs one day, but also admitted to BT Sport that “I am looking forward to moving on and I am so motivated for the next project.” If that project happens to be on Tyneside following a takeover, Newcastle fans will have a lot to look forward to.
