Five foreign managers to replace Alan Pardew at Newcastle
Following the news that early favourite Steve Bruce has ruled himself out of taking over his hometown team Newcastle United, as Alan Pardew is on the brink of becoming Crystal Palace boss, Coral’s football experts started to wonder.
Magpies owner Mike Ashley’s business model regarding playing staff has largely surrounded the poaching of foreign players from Europe. What is to stop him adopting a similar approach in terms of recruiting a new manager?
So, we got our heads together and came up with five coaches plying their trade around the continent that Ashley could try to bring to the Premier League.
Rafa Benitez (25/1)
Former Liverpool boss and Chelsea caretaker Benitez is a proven, experienced option, but he is quoted at lengthy odds because he is currently in charge of Coppa Italia holders Napoli.
Competing in the Europa League, and being in the mix once again for a top four Serie A finish, seems much more appealing than trading Naples for Tyneside.
Benitez would have Spanish speakers Fabricio Coloccini (an equal chance at present to land the role of next Newcastle manager) and Ayoze Perez to work with at St James’ Park, though.
Having led Liverpool to their greatest triumph since the Premier League was formed, Champions League winner Benitez is used to being in charge of a club with a passionate fanbase. The rigours of the role at Newcastle will be known to him.
Frank de Boer (50/1)
Ajax boss De Boer is comfortable with the Dutch giants, but is he too comfortable? Again, he is quoted at a big price because the Amsterdam Arena is hosting European football.
The big question posing De Boer is how much more can he accomplish at Ajax? He has already won four Eredivisie titles in a row since moving into management, so might taking on the Toon be a tempting challenge?
If Ashley could persuade De Boer to take over at Newcastle, a clever move on the owner’s part might be to offer former Magpies striker Patrick Kluivert, a Bobby Robson signing no less, a role on the coaching staff, perhaps even as assistant to his old Netherlands national teammate.
Christophe Galtier (8/1)
St-Etienne manager Galtier is the shortest price of any foreign coach linked with the vacancy on Tyenside. His work with Les Verts has been a story of steady progress over the last five years.
Given Newcastle’s French connection (there are nine speakers of that language in the current first-team set-up), this looks like a perfect fit. As Ligue 1 has been farmed for talent by Magpies scouts in recent years, who better than Galtier to supplement this with intimate knowledge of players he has had a pitchside seat to viewing week in, week out?
Remi Garde (10/1)
Another cross-Channel option open to Ashley is the out-of-work former Lyon boss. Garde has links with Arsenal, where he ended his playing career, but cut his coaching teeth in France at another of his former club.
What would make this potential appointment so exciting is Garde’s relationship with long-time Newcastle target Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker is Ligue 1’s leading marksman, but first got regular football under Garde, so working with him again could be the pull to bring this prolific striker to St James’ Park.
Jurgen Klinsmann (50/1)
Spurs scoring legend Klinsmann knows more about the passion of English football fans than most. Ashley would have to fork out hefty compensation to bring the Germany great to Tyneside, however, as he is under contract as USA national coach until after the next World Cup in 2018.
