Roberto Martinez, Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery have been named as leading candidates for the Newcastle United job.
The position is not yet vacant as Steve Bruce continues to operate as the club’s manager until told otherwise.
The Times’ Matt Lawton and Martin Hardy report that the club will step up their manager search this week with the trio named as leading candidates.
Other reports also suggest former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe could be in the running.
Newcastle United Job: Leading Candidates Named
Steve Bruce Future Drags On
The Magpies’ new era looked to be getting off to a fantastic start on Sunday, October 17, but celebrations of Callum Wilson’s opener v Tottenham Hotspur were quickly toned down as Spurs were victorious by three goals to two. However, that game will not be remembered for on-the-pitch matters after a supporter required medical attention in the stands.
The future of Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce continues to drag on. The Magpies boss took charge of his 1000th game on Sunday but it appears inevitable that the new owners will make a change perhaps sooner rather than later.
Newcastle sit in 19th place, winless after eight games, with just three points gained. The Mike Ashley regime often accepted the bare minimum – staying up – but it’s no secret the recent takeover has taken expectations up tenfold.
There are many names reportedly in the running for the job but Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, Rangers’ Steven Gerrard and former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, who won the Europa League with Villarreal last summer, are named as the leading candidates.
Elsewhere, Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror reports that Eddie Howe has held discussions with the Tyneside club.
Weighing Up the Options
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is a fair candidate for the role having won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013 and has led Belgium since 2016. A fresh start for the Spanish coach is not beyond the realms of possibility and where better to do that than with Newcastle United at the moment.
Steven Gerrard has shown tons of potential since taking over at Rangers. The former Liverpool captain will no doubt be looking to prove himself in the Premier League one day and with the funds available to improve Newcastle over time, it could be the perfect opportunity.
Finally, Unai Emery was victim to the high expectations at Arsenal and things didn’t quite work out. A chance to put that spell in England right could tempt him. He has experience working with such a budget when winning Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain.
It will be interesting to see who gets the Newcastle United job – which, of course, isn’t even vacant yet.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
