Next Newcastle Manager Odds: Five potential replacements for Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce’s chances of remaining Newcastle manager appear increasingly bleak following the news that a new takeover is imminent.
Bruce now finds himself as the short-priced favourite in the Premier League Sack Race with many fans already speculating as to who could replace the under-fire boss should he leave the club in the next few days, weeks, or months.
Here’s are look at five names in the betting...
Antonio Conte
The blockbuster appointment who is currently the overwhelming favourite in our next Newcastle manager poll.
Five league titles in his last seven years as a club manager, including the Serie A crown with Inter Milan last term and a Premier League gong with Chelsea.
Since leaving Inter in the summer Conte appeared to be on the cusp of becoming the new Tottenham manager, but pulled out of negotiations as he didn’t believe in the project.
Could an exciting new era at Newcastle - backed by buckets of dosh - lure the Italian up to the north east?
One bookmaker has cut Conte to just 5/1...
Frank Lampard
We’ve been waiting since January to see where Frank Lampard crops up next.
The former Derby and Chelsea manager has been linked with a plethora of posts, yet he seemingly remains content out of the managerial spotlight for now.
“I had two great experiences, at Derby and then at Chelsea and I would love to get back in at the right time and right moment,” Lampard said over the summer when working as a pundit at Euro 2020.
Could this be the right time and right moment? The Newcastle job would surely appeal.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has now accrued over three years of managerial experience from his time at Rangers, whom he led to the Scottish league title last season.
One day we will see the former England skipper managing in the Premier League, the question is where?
If he fancies the Liverpool job then he’ll have to wait a good while, but a potential opening at Newcastle could have arrived at the ideal time for Gerrard should he have ambitions of returning south of the border anytime soon.
He’s already restored one club to its former glory, now could he elevate another back into the upper echelons of the Premier League?
However, it must be said that Gerrard prides himself on his loyalty, and he’s not given any indication that he wants to leave the Gers...yet. Well worth pondering at an attractive 20/1 though.
Eddie Howe
Newcastle may be struggling in the league, but the job would certainly represent a step up for Eddie Howe in terms of pressure and expectations.
Who's to say that he couldn’t handle it though?
The former Bournemouth boss, who cannonballed the club from League Two to the Premier League, plays the type of fast-paced, attacking and entertaining brand of football that Newcastle fans desperately want to see. He’s a young and hungry coach who now has plenty of experience on his CV: over 10 years.
Howe, the favourite with multiple bookmakers, is ready and available for his next opportunity and would surely jump at the chance to return to the Premier League dugout.
He’s probably not the manager who would propel Newcastle to the Premier League title, but to many he would be a breath of fresh air following years of toxicity.
Rafa Benitez
We simply can't write a next Newcastle manager piece without at least a mention of Rafa Benitez.
A controversial appointment at Everton in the summer, Benitez has since knuckled down, implemented his methods, and in turn swatted away plenty of doubters after propelling his new side to 5th in the table after seven games; level with the Manchester clubs.
He was handed a meagre £1.6m to spend in the summer - the lowest of any top-flight boss - and has had to deal with injuries to both of his attackers and the departure of a certain Colombian, yet Everton have been great to watch; particularly the rejuvenated triumvirate of Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray, and Abdoulaye Doucouré.
The Saudi takeover news has resulted in many bookmakers cutting the Spaniard's odds for a dramatic return to Newcastle, he's now just 9/1 with Paddy Power, although for the moment William Hill still have him out at 40/1.
Admittedly a return to the Toon this season seems pretty unlikely, but stranger things have happened…
Scroll down for the full next Newcastle manager market, which is sure to spring a surprise or two over the next few days with the likes of Roberto Martinez, Chris Wilder, and maybe even Zinedine Zidane worth keeping an eye on.
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