Steve Bruce and the squad are expected back at the training ground on Monday after an extended break. The lads have had the last three days off as the new owners have taken their initial look at the state of affairs with the club.
Numerous reports have Steve Bruce being let go this week with assistant coach Graeme Jones being kept on as caretaker manager. The Northern Echo is the latest outlet to report of Steve Bruce’s imminent sacking.
Scott Wilson’s report also backs Jones to be on the touchline for the Tottenham match next Sunday. The new owners are expected to embark on an exhaustive search for the right manager to spearhead Newcastle’s rebuild.
The usual suspects are named in this latest article with Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers cited as a real possibility even with him turning The Foxes into perennial Champions League contenders. Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is also expected to get a look.
A couple of available managers were also named in Wilson’s report. Antonio Conte would be a top candidate, however, his high demands for control could mean he ends up be a non-starter for the board. However, he is reportedly interested in at least a discussion.
Another manager currently out of a job that could make the list is former Dortmund manager Lucien Favre (pictured above). The 63-year-old has been linked with Newcastle twice in the past. According to Wilson, he has recently expressed interest in becoming the next Newcastle manager.
Favre was part of an initial four-man shortlist when our new ownership group first reached the agreement to purchase Newcastle from Mike Ashley in April of 2020. He was also recommended to Mike Ashley by Graham Carr back in 2015 after Alan Pardew left for Crystal Palace.
The Swiss manager has been out of work since being sacked from Dortmund in December 2020. Prior to his spell with Dortmund, he spent two years in France with Nice.
It was Favre who brought Allan Saint-Maximin to Nice from Monaco in 2017. He’s also managed Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
A couple of Englishmen round out the candidates in Eddie Howe and Graham Potter. Howe is also available but may covet the Southampton post if Ralph Hasenthuttl can’t turn things around at St Mary’s.
Graham Potter has done very well with limited resources at Brighton. He is also a friend of Graeme Jones, who the board hopes to retain in some role. While Potter may not be a big splash appointment, he is a manager on the rise and could thrive with the right backing.
195 comments so far
Adamn_92
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:24 AM
Comment #121Also for all those fans claiming Bruce done what he was asked to do and kept us up….barely. He needed another coach brought in, promoted Harper briefly so had 5 coaches at one point to help him turn things around, Willock saved his bacon with his once in a lifetime goal run and this season we’ve started so badly that some fans are worried about relegation, putting a dampener on celebrations of a takeover. He has barely kept us up, insulted us and the club, been an Ashley yes man and been an embarrassment to the club; the way he responds to questions and the press and loses his rag with them. The reason so many of us have wanted him gone for so long is because of all of the above and knowing that a more competent manager would have kept us up comfortably without all listed above.
He can get his 1000th game anywhere but here. The negative toxic atmosphere of Ashley is gone, but the Bruce smell is lingering and needs to go.
martoon
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:31 AM
Comment #122Jail – I see you’ve settled on your new name which is actually an old name 😀
One thing that is intriguing me is that on old posts your Avatar has changed but you are still Jail for Ashley – how are you doing that?
DubaiMicky
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:32 AM
Comment #123Re shirt sponsorship, the biggest is $413m for 4 years Emirates pay to Real Madrid, spurs is $400m/7 years, manure $325/4 years
I would expect a 4 year deal with Aramco first, then a 5 year with Vision 2030, would expect it to be around $80m/year. In other words the sponsorship deal will be more valuable than the club sale.
Jamesthefirst
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:33 AM
Comment #124Board have a 10 man shortlist for the manager job by all reports. These are the confirmed names on that list. Others are a mystery
1. Conte
2. Rodgers
3. Gerrard
4. Potter
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Howe
10. Favre (low down on the list apparently)
The top 3 is their priority in that order. Still don’t understand the Gerrard links apart from Mandy loving Liverpool. He has zero experience managing in PL and zero experience tactically against the top dogs.
Club announcement tonight that Bruce has gone.
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:34 AM
Comment #125Jail I’m with you on the shirt sponsor, when I seen a journalist yesterday mention they are starting a new airline, it dawned on me that’s 100% whats going to be on our shirt next season.
They don’t need to advertise Aramco but their new airline definitely will need publicly, and I’m sure they can use it to plough just as much money into Newcastle as they could have with Aramco.
Using that logic it’s hard to see how it will be anything other than the airline. Its a bit of a bummer because it would have been epic to see Aramco on our shirts considering it’s the second biggest business in the world based on revenue.
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:35 AM
Comment #126I don’t really buy the logic that being ran in to the ground as paved the way for the Saudis, upgrading the facilities and maintaining the ground does not affect FFP. The money saved on that kind of investment went into Ashley’s back pocket. We could have been ran like a regular club and the Saudis wouldn’t have grumbled paying £600M. There’s no excuse for the last 14 years.
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:37 AM
Comment #127martoon,
I’ve still got to login as Jail for Ashley but have just changed nickname. Not sure if you can change log in details.
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:40 AM
Comment #128Irish Rob,
Aye and unlike rots direct who didn’t need a successful brand to advertise tat, if these want to promote a first class airline they’ll need a first class team to do it.
Jamesthefirst
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:41 AM
Comment #129On Football Focus on Saturday both pundits said:
“Newcastle fans are being unfair on Steve Bruce”
“He’s a nice guy”
“He’s done a brilliant job at Newcastle”
“He deserves to stay until the end of the season” – They both said this.
They are paid thousands to be pundits. The very least they could do is research their statements before making them. Watch us play. Look at the stats. But no, instead the BBC lets them say that to millions of viewers.
He will NEVER manage a PL club again. That says everything.
hibbit
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:41 AM
Comment #130the last thing Amanda and the other new owners will want to do is kill the atmosphere on Sunday with a silly mistake of keeping Bruce in in place,
Bruce is gone, he deserves no sympathy from any of the clubs fans he’s shown us nothing but disrespect over the last months with his derogatory comments towards us.
he’s not one of us
he’s never been one of us
and never will be one of us..
DubaiMicky
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM
Comment #131Favre is now 2/1, Conte next on 3/1.
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:43 AM
Comment #132Caltoon I really wouldn’t worry about relegation. This team is far better than where we’re at, with the change in mood and new manager I genuinely think we will get plenty of results between now and January. Once we get to January we’re golden.
I really really think you’re going to start seeing much better performances from even the squad we have atm, and after Jan we should have an improved side for the second half of the season. I might be getting carried away but I wouldn’t be surprised if we finish 6th-8th this season.
Mund
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:43 AM
Comment #133There is no excuse for the way Ashley ran the club and everyone of us would of had him out a long time ago and I dare say we would of risked taking other new owners to be rid.
But the facts are the facts and we wouldn’t of had a Saudi takeover if he didn’t abuse the club the way he did.
Ashley doesn’t even have to have an effect on any of us anymore as he is gone and will be forgotten. Get rid of the hate and anger and just let out joy and happiness.
This is the way….
Adamn_92
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:43 AM
Comment #134James
Where have you got that information from if you don’t mind me asking? I find it hard to believe new owners would rate Howe and Gerrard above Favre. Also respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated we haven’t contacted Conte, Conte wants a top European club and also wants to wait till the summer to start a new job, not midway through a season. So I think Conte is a no go.
DubaiMicky
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:45 AM
Comment #135The problem with flying Saudia is that all the flights are dry, as are all flights to and from KSA (and Kuwait). Unless MBS has other ideas of course.
Mund
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:47 AM
Comment #136Saudi advertisement
https://mobile.twitter.com/hananmalghamdi/status/1447268245128597505
Jess
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:47 AM
Comment #137Morning everybody, read the blog for years but thought it was a bit volatile at times to want to get involved, hopefully now with a new era ahead of us all and better times to come hopefully, should be a safe place to get involved with now, but I doubt it lol
DubaiMicky
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:48 AM
Comment #138Bruce is also as low as 1/16 to be next manager sacked (although you can get 1/6).
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:48 AM
Comment #139Gerrard or Lampard are coming nowhere near this club neither are Rogers or any manager who’s contracted. They don’t need to gobthat route there are plenty out there..
It’s going to be Farve, or Conte or Howe as an outsider or somone nobody thought about.
Jamesthefirst
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:49 AM
Comment #140Pros and Cons of Newcastle’s top 2 choices for the job
CONTE
Cons
– Hates the British press and gives poor interviews
– Demands his own players, often with experience. So expect 30 year olds from Italy on big contracts that we are stuck with when he leaves
– Always falls out with his owners
Pros
– Brilliant at getting the best out of average players
– Tactically smart
Rodgers
Cons
– Always fails at the last hurdle (Liverpool for the title and Leicester for top 4)
– Expensive to get him from Leicester
– Without Vardy where would Leicester actually be? Does Vardy make them look better than they are
Pros
– Good with the media
– Rarely gets well beaten
– European experience
– Proven in PL
Mund
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:51 AM
Comment #141IMO Staveley will want to make a statement with the new manager and no doubt DOF.
I for one can’t see it being a Howe, Gerrard or Lampard. The new owners will want a figurehead who has been there and done it down the years and these 3 just don’t fit that criteria.
The next few appointments will speak volumes in what kind of intent the new owners have in the short term.
Jamesthefirst
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:51 AM
Comment #142For those asking about Favre. He has 2 massive negatives which is why he is far down the list
– Doesn’t speak a word of English
– He is 63.
He doesn’t have the energy they are looking for.
Adamn_92
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:53 AM
Comment #143Conte won’t be coming.
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/10/11/antonio-conte-newcastle-rumour/
We are not yet a major European club and he won’t join us mid season for a potential relegation battle. I don’t think Conte is coming as he won’t see us as a big club yet and will want to challenge for Europe immediately and not have to build up to it.
Blofal
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:54 AM
Comment #144I would really really love us to try and bring in Chiesa
Mund
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:56 AM
Comment #145Money and ambition talks
Long shot with Conte but who knows?
We have very powerful people who run this football club now and have huge reach across the world. We don’t actually know how far that reach can go yet until things start moving into place.
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:57 AM
Comment #146Mund,
It’s a bit of a moot point as it can’t be proved either way so you certainly can’t claim it is a fact that being run the way we were was the only chance of a takeover.
Jamesthefirst
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:58 AM
Comment #147George Caulkin has said Bruce is going today. And he would know
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:59 AM
Comment #148Blofal,
It would be nice but it’s going to be a couple of years before we can attract that level of player.
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:59 AM
Comment #149Oh BTW Mund if you’re serious about letting bygones be bygones with everyone one here then I’m all for that, as long as there isn’t a passive aggressive undertone or snide but civil remarks and you genuinely want peace then I’m 100% down with that.
This blog is 10 times the place when everyone is all getting along and it would be a shame to continue that kind of negativity from here on in.
If you’re down I’m down!
Mund
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:59 AM
Comment #150It’s been said many times Jail that the way the club was ran financially made it a much more attractive proposition.
Do you not think Staveley sold them the dream of what could be and the impact they could make straight away?
Tbh it doesn’t matter as it’s behind us and the nightmare can be forgotten.
Mund
Oct 11, 2021 at 9:59 AM
Comment #151IrishRob
Consider it all forgotten.
Here’s to the future
Corkypants
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Comment #152I’d take Favre’s years of experience over someone inexperienced like Gerrard
Adamn_92
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:01 AM
Comment #153Mund
Money talks, but Conte wants to wait till summer and fancies European football immediately. His next job he’ll be paid well, would we really pay that much more above and beyond to get him as opposed to a top European club? I doubt it. Even if we did, is that how we want to start operating? Bribing a manager above and beyond what he should be paid to persuade him to manage us? No thanks, much rather not pay over the odds and get in somebody who is ready and excited to build us up into the powerhouse we can become.
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:02 AM
Comment #154Mickey what does Dry mean? Like the airline in in its incipient stages or something?
If so isn’t it possible that they could kick things off and open flights between now and next August? I mean they habe nearly a year to get it going.
Do u really think it will be Aramco over the airline?? I hope its Aramco ngl
Adamn_92
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:04 AM
Comment #155James
Caulkin hasn’t said that, he said as of last night the word is that a decision won’t be made on Bruce today, but he expects him to go soon.
https://twitter.com/GeorgeCaulkin/status/1447453670665179138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1447453670665179138%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geordiebootboys.com%2Fnews%2Fgeorge-caulkin-provides-update-on-steve-bruce-and-his-immediate-newcastle-future%2F
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:04 AM
Comment #156Nice one bud, it’s genuinely good to be back talking with you as much as we didn’t get along I absolutely hated the tension at times.
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:06 AM
Comment #157Farve 100% speaks English, I can post a link if you want James?
geordietom
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:10 AM
Comment #158BRUCE might end up at derby , i live in derby no way do i want that bloke living any where near me 👿
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:11 AM
Comment #159Mund,
I think you’re confusing being run sensibly and neglectfully. We hadn’t been run I’m to the ground to make us an attractive buy to the Mansours. Neither of us can claim we would or wouldn’t have been bought from the Saudi’s if things were different. All I’m saying was that the last 14 years were unnecessary.
IrishRob
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:11 AM
Comment #160Chiesa would be a dream signing for me as well, but I think that kinda signing at least 2 years away. He will only be 25 by then to. I think he’s tailor-made for the prem.