Former Newcastle defender Warren Barton believes Mauricio Pochettino is a manager who can take his former club to the 'next level'.
The Magpies have edged closer to a new takeover deal after the Premier League began assessing the credentials of a new chairman.
News emerged on Tuesday that PCP Capital Partners' takeover bid for the club has reached the Premier League's Owners and Directors' Test stage.
The bid, spearheaded by financier Amanda Staveley and also involving the Reuben brothers, Simon and David, is backed by the mega-rich Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
As a result, fans are excited about a new era and speculation is rife about changes the club could see to its playing department and management team.
And although Barton has 'a lot of respect' for current Magpies boss Steve Bruce, he feels the new regime should target former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino is a man in demand having transformed Tottenham and guided them to the Champions League final last summer but Barton feels he is 'ready-made' for a new project at Newcastle.
“With all due respect to Steve, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he’s not one of the top-level coaches around the world,” Barton told talkSPORT 2.
“He’s always done reasonably well in the Premier League and Championship, but if you want someone to take you to that next level, I think Pochettino would tick all the boxes.
“He’s ambitious, he’s great with young players, he understands the Premier League… and I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder now to come back and prove people wrong.
“I think he is ready-made for the club, and his hunger to be successful will go right the way through the club and the fans.”
Barton also feels Chelsea winger Willian, who is out of contract in the summer, would be the ideal first signing of the new regime.
He added: “The academy needs looking after and a reboot, and going forward now looking at players like [Chelsea forward] Willian who is up for a free transfer; they are the type of players that you need, to bed them in and mix experienced and younger players.
“And Pochettino is great at doing that. He would be an ideal choice going forward.”
