Staveley, Newcastle part-owner, on the way forward
It's official. Newcastle United is looking for a new manager.
Steve Bruce was evicted by the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover for 305 million. It is one of the most tragic partings in Premier League history.
Fans continued to call for Bruce’s head, as the club was 19th in the table after seven games.
But who could replace him?
Amanda Staveley (financier) was the original leader of the consortium. She said that the new owners made a long-term investment to ensure Newcastle were "regularly competing" for major trophies.
Chris Waddle, a former Magpies winger, has warned that the next manager will be crucial to achieving these goals.
BBC Radio 5 Live he said: "I believe Steve Bruce has done an excellent job. That may not be popular, but I believe he has.
"Manchester City made quite a statement with this, and they eventually had a well-known manager in Pep Guardiola who is the best.
Newcastle must do this if they want to take the club to the next level. It's essential that they have a top-ranking manager from Europe who runs the team. You have to feel like you can trust that person.
Guillem Balague is a Spanish football expert who spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues Podcast. He said that "right now everyone wants to go to the Premier League, and the top four managers-wise are sorted. So here's an opportunity for managers, to come to Premier League to a club having a lot of cash.
"It is public knowledge that Rafa Benitez wanted to take over. If this is the case, then well done. They are searching for this type of manager.
You look for someone who will help you build the foundations of a team that can win the league in five to six years or seven years. It is essential to begin now with elite decisions, and an elite manager.
BBC Sport looks at some of the names being talked about by pundits, fans and bookmakers.
Rafael Benitez
Benitez would have been back on Tyneside if the takeover had taken place in the summer. He was a fan favorite during his three years at Tyneside starting in 2016, and he would be a popular appointment.
However, the former Liverpool, Inter and Chelsea boss and Real Madrid manager - who has had major success domestically as well in Europe - only began at Everton this summer. It might prove difficult to take him away from Goodison with Benitez seemingly ruling out the role.
Antonio Conte
This appointment would make a statement.
Perhaps because he is an out-of work manager, Conte has been mentioned among those who have spoken since the takeover. He clearly knows how to win trophies.
Since 2011, the 52-year-old Italian has won five top flight titles, including victories at Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter Milan. He left Inter Milan in the summer.
Lucien Favre
The 63 year-old has a lot of experience having previously managed the Swiss national team, and most recently as Borussia Dortmund boss for 2018-20.
Newcastle fans will love his tactical and attacking football.
Paulo Fonseca
Before the club ended talks, the former Roma boss was close to being appointed Tottenham manager.
After three years playing for Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, Claudio Ranieri was replaced at Roma by the 48-year old, who is known for his aggressive style of football. Braga and Porto have also been coached by the Portuguese.
Last season, Rangers won the Scottish title under Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
The ex-Middlefielder for Liverpool features prominently on the bookmakers' favourites list, but is the 41-year old ready to leave Rangers?
Gerrard is well-known for his desire to manage the Premier League. His work in Scotland, leading the Ibrox team to their first league title after ten years, has impressed many.
Eddie Howe
Howe was a potential future England manager during his time at Bournemouth. He took the Cherries from League One into the Premier League.
Bournemouth's two-year stint in the Championship would be a strong challenge. Is the 43-year old a big enough name to support the ambitious Toon?
Frank Lampard
Another prominent name, who did not do any harm to his managerial reputation during his 18-month tenure at Chelsea.
The ex-England midfielder, now 43 years old, is yet to win a major trophy. He may not be experienced enough to fill the role.
Roberto Mancini
Mancini could be lured from his position as manager of European champions Italy just a year away from the World Cup.
The 56-year old Italian manager was responsible for Manchester City's first Premier League title, four-years after they were taken over from Sheikh Mansour.
Roberto Martinez
It's an interesting one.
Although the Belgium boss is on a contract with Red Devils until after 2022 World Cup, there are reports that he wants to return to club management.
Belgium's so-called "Golden Generation" has failed to deliver at the 2018 World Cup under Martinez and the 2020 Euros under Martinez. They also lost in the Nations Cup semifinals.
Since 2016, the 47-year-old Spaniard was fired as Everton manager. His only major trophy was when Wigan won in 2013.
Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane won three times the Champions League.
Zidane is another prominent manager who is out of work. However, it is not clear if he is currently looking for a new job.
As Real Madrid boss, the former France international won three times the Champions League and twice La Liga. This would be a bold appointment.
Who is in the running...and who isn’t?
Brendan Rodgers' move would be undoubtedly impactful, but he appears happy at Leicester and quickly decided to leave. While other managers may have retracted statements like these before, the ex-Celtic boss sounds convincing.
Jose Mourinho's success at Porto and Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester United, Inter, and Inter are proof that he can win. However, his last major trophy was in 2017. The Portuguese seems to be settled at Roma, where he has begun impressively. However, his style of football might not be what Newcastle fans want.
Joachim Low, former Germany boss, is currently out of work. Alan Shearer, ex-N Newcastle striker, is also being discussed in some quarters. However, this seems unlikely.
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