Newcastle manager Steve Bruce odds-on to be sacked following Saudi takeover news

Steve Bruce is now the odds-on favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave following the news that a Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle is close to being agreed.

BBC Sport reports that the Premier League could approve a deal in the next 24 hours following 18-months of rumours, speculation, obstacles, and rejection.

If - or when - completed, it will bring an end to Mike Ashley’s chaotic 14-year reign during which the club have been managed by Sam Allardyce, Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear, Alan Shearer, Chris Hughton, Alan Pardew, John Carver, Steve McClaren, Rafa Benitez, and currently Bruce who has been in charge since the summer of 2019.

Wednesday’s takeover news has seen bookmakers slash Bruce’s odds to be the second top-flight boss to leave this season.

Out at 5/1 in the betting on Wednesday, Bruce now finds himself the odds-on favourite to follow the now ex-Watford head coach Xisco Munoz to the Job Centre, with Bet Victor pricing the Newcastle manager at just 1/4.

Nuno Santo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have since drifted out to 10/1 (Bet Victor), while new Watford boss Claudio Ranieri, Daniel Farke, and Ralph Hasenhuttl have all seen their odds lengthen too.

So far this season winless Newcastle have just three points on the board after seven league games, which leaves the club 19th at October’s international break: no team has conceded more than their 16 goals. 

The Toon’s hopes of a League Cup run were also ended at the first hurdle by Burnley.

It will now be interesting to see what a takeover means for Bruce, who is unlikely to walk from his post. Sources differ, but it would reportedly cost somewhere in the region of £3-6m to eject the 60-year-old from his hot-seat.

A lot can change obviously, but at the time of writing former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is one of the favourites in the next Newcastle manager market.

Magpies assistant manager Graeme Jones features, as do Chris Wilder, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Roberto Martinez.

The dream appointment would surely be serial-winner Antonio Conte, who can now be found at just 5/1.

Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini is a 20/1 shot, while Rafa Benitez is out at 40/1.

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