Newcastle step up search for new manager as THREE 'leading contenders' emerge

Newcastle step up search for new manager as THREE 'leading contenders' emerge - The Times

by Olly Hawkins · Published 18 October 2021, 09:29

According to The Times, the new owners at Newcastle United will step up their search for Steve Bruce's replacement this week.

Martin Hardy's Monday morning piece claims that THREE names are in the frame, with Roberto Martinez, Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery now believed to be 'leading contenders' for the job.

Martinez is currently with the Belgian national side but has been linked with a return to the Premier League, where he has previously managed Everton and Wigan.

Interestingly, both of those stints have seen Graeme Jones alongside him as his assistant - something that may only boost his hopes of landing the job should the new owners keep the Gateshead-born coach on Tyneside.

As for Gerrard, he refused to rule himself out of the running when speaking to the press last Friday. It wasn't a come and get me plea, but at no point did he say he won't be leaving Rangers or wouldn't consider the job at St James' Park should Steve Bruce get the sack.

Then to Emery, who is currently at Spanish side Villarreal after a stint at Arsenal over the 2018/19 season.

Since then, he's helped them finish 7th in La Liga last season - a year which saw them lift the Europa League after beating Manchester United on penalties to lift the trophy.

Here's a snippet from Martin Hardy's piece for The Times, which insists that Bruce looks set to stay until a replacement is found:

Newcastle United will this week step up their search for a new manager with Roberto Martínez, Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery emerging as leading contenders to replace Steve Bruce.

Newcastle were yesterday beaten 3-2 by Tottenham Hotspur in their first match under Saudi Arabian ownership with Yasir al-Rumayyan, the new chairman, and the director Amanda Staveley in attendance at St James’ Park.

Bruce had not been expected to retain his position after the takeover and a capacity crowd called for his dismissal. All decisions will be taken by the board of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns 80 per cent of the club, with al-Rumayyan the PIF’s governor. It is thought Bruce will stay until a replacement is found.