Revealed: Managers eyeing Newcastle United job as Rafa Benitez situation heads towards end game
In this week's edition of the Newcastle United notebook, uncertainty over Rafa Benitez's position has created a buzz in European football
Chris WaughNUFC Writer
Andrew Musgrove
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Newcastle United's on-going managerial uncertainty has captured the imagination of plenty of agents and fixers, who view the role as a good route back into the Premier League for their clients.
Rafa Benitez's contract is just days away from expiring and Newcastle face a tremendous backlash if no deal can be brokered.
But with Benitez now seemingly set to take it to the wire there is no real sign of a breakthrough and neither side seems able to predict whether there will be last minute discussions or compromises. The stream of offers to United of potential alternative clients reflects a belief in the world of football power brokers that the job may well be available in July.
That is nothing new but one agent feels there is an increased urgency among both out-of-work managers and high-profile European coaches looking for a tilt in England to get themselves in a position to make a case to United if Benitez walks away.
The NUFC notebook
The NUFC notebook is a new Saturday morning diary feature bringing you off-the-field news from St James' Park. Here are all of the editions so far.
Newcastle set up internal due diligence for takeover parties, as Ashley waits for summer interest (23/3)
Revealed: The high-profile North East figure approached by a consortium aiming to buy Newcastle United (6/4)
Revealed: The Premier League club that has already tried to sign Newcastle United's loan star Salomon Rondon (13/4)
The five players Newcastle are still owed money for, and why it could lead to big earners leaving (20/4)
Revealed: The under-the-radar issue that could make-or-break Rafa Benitez contract talks, and NUFC's summer (27/4)
Revealed: Agents touting potential Rafa Benitez replacements to Newcastle mention surprise big name option (4/5)
Newcastle United takeover talk to ramp up during 'takeover window', with groups in contact with Mike Ashley (11/5)
Revealed: What a Premier League manager said about Newcastle United's spending plans - and the club's 'other budget' (18/5)
Revealed: The clause Rafa Benitez is insisting on in any new Newcastle United contract (25/5)
Revealed: The figure new owners of Newcastle United would need to have access to on day one, and Bin Zayed say they have it (1/6)
Revealed: The factors still to be agreed in Newcastle takeover, including Sports Direct signs (8/6)
Revealed: The controversial advice about maximising income given to prospective buyers of Newcastle United (15/6)
Revealed: Managers eyeing Newcastle United job as Rafa Benitez situation heads towards end game (22/6)
Revealed: How Rafa Benitez feels about his Newcastle United tenure as exit looms (29/6)
Revealed: The key issue Newcastle's managerial targets will demand answers on before joining Magpies (5/7)
Newcastle's position has always been to concentrate on Benitez and not look too closely at alternative options – although how long that can hold with Benitez out of contract in little more than a week is not clear. Their job may be made more difficult by the uncertainty created by the takeover – which candidates will surely be looking for reassurances on.
Even with that, though, the job seems to still hold a huge appeal to many managers and head coaches. Coaches from France have been floated to United, who have refused to open negotiations with anyone while Benitez's contract remains live.
Steve Harmison claims Newcastle fans will 'never forgive' Rafa Benitez if he leaves the club
Options if Benitez walks away would include Laurent Blanc – who is keen to manage in England after a spell with Paris Saint Germain – and Gennaro Gattuso, who has departed AC Milan. Jose Mourinho has been mentioned if there was a takeover but that remains very unlikely while Arsene Wenger, undecided on whether to return to club management, has been floated by third parties as a possibility – but he would want assurances over spending power.
David Moyes, previously a top target for Mike Ashley when he was at Everton, is another who would no doubt be keen and was next on the list when Benitez was appointed. But his links to Sunderland would make that politically difficult at a time when many fans are threatening to walk away if Benitez does not stay. Former boss Chris Hughton is also on the job market but a return would be unlikely. (MD)
Coach of PSG Laurent Blanc looks on during the French Cup Final match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Stade de France
Should Rafa Benitez opt against signing a new deal, then the Magpies hierarchy will be left in a difficult situation when it comes to decided who to appoint as his successor.
If the 59-year-old allows his deal to expire and becomes a free agent on July 1, then Newcastle must decide whether to appoint a new manager swiftly - given that pre-season training begins on Thursday, July 4 - or conduct a thorough recruitment process in order to find a new manager.
It is understood that the United hierarchy do have the potential profile of coach they would look to appoint in mind, though no contact has yet been made with any managers other than Benitez, with Newcastle still attempting to convince the incumbent to sign the one-year extension on offer.
Newcastle United: Latest news
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Sean Longstaff takes big step closer to full fitness - but Manchester United still tracking Geordie midfielder
Matt Ritchie says Newcastle United players must remain professional after Rafa Benitez's exit
Ben Dawson is asked about Steve Bruce situation in packed Press conference in Nanjing
Steve Bruce reported to have resigned as Sheffield Wednesday manager after talks over Newcastle job
Jamaal Lascelles breaks the silence from the Newcastle United dressing room following uncertain summer
Ben Dawson reflects on task in hand after being handed caretaker manager role at Newcastle United
Premier League Asia Trophy: Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers expected to name very different teams to last encounter
Fan unrest, no signings, no communication and no manager: 28 days before kick off, Mike Ashley's Newcastle are in dire straits
Revealed: What happens next with Newcastle United transfers and Salomon Rondon
How Steve Bruce faces the unenviable task of changing perceptions at Newcastle United
At least three coaches who have offered their services to Newcastle over the past two months have since secured new positions, but there are still plenty of managers across Europe who would be interested in taking the St James' Park role.
The Magpies have confirmed that Neil Redfearn has been appointed Under-23 coach and Shola Ameobi will be loan coordinator and the pair - along with the Academy's head of coaching, Ben Dawson - would be the obvious candidates to take charge of pre-season training if no manager is in place by that stage.
The uncertainty over the future ownership of the club, and whether a takeover will be completed this summer, could also complicate matters further as new custodians may wish to appoint a manager of their own. (CW)
Former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi is the club's loan coordinator
If anyone at Newcastle ever harboured any doubts about the importance of having Benitez in the home dugout at St James' Park, they just have to look at the players linked this summer.
It was well known that Wesley Moraes, who has signed for Aston Villa, liked the idea of joining Newcastle - but he was more excited by the prospect of working with Benitez.
The Magpies have been linked with Spezia Calcio's David Okereke - he hit 10 goals in Serie B last season - and sources close to striker have pinpointed the draw of working with Benitez.
It's the same with many in the current Newcastle squad; several players have bought into Benitez's vision of the club, but more than that are in awe of his experience, reputation, and honours list.
Benitez's influence is invaluable, and with players such as Ayoze Perez linked with a move away his talent of selling Newcastle as the club to be is important - losing him could prove costly in more ways than one. (AM)
13 potential exits and the impact on pre-season preparations - the worry facing Newcastle United
One of the demands that Benitez has made in his contract talks with Newcastle is that he continues to have the final say over in-coming transfers.
In his current three-year deal, which expires on June 30, Benitez has been able to veto any potential signings - and, while he has often been denied his first-choice targets, he has helped identify every single player who has been brought to the club during his tenure.
However, the same does not currently apply to out-going transfers. Although Benitez is consulted on which players he is willing to sell or loan out, he does not have the same autonomy over out-goings as he does over in-comings.
In theory the Magpies could therefore sell players without Benitez's permission - though it must be stressed that this has not happened at any point over the past three years, and the club do not have any plans to start doing so now.
Although this is not one of the major sticking points in current contract negotiations - rather Benitez believes the club have not displayed to him that they genuinely share his ambition to compete for European football and a domestic trophy - it is a quirk which has been misrepresented in some quarters.
Regardless of who has the final say on transfers in or out, Newcastle have postponed all significant business until their managerial situation is resolved either way. (CW)
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Miguel Almiron's Paraguay take on Colombia in their final Copa America Group B game on Sunday knowing that a victory would guarantee them a place in the knock-out stages.
The 25-year-old Newcastle forward has excelled out in Brazil so far, providing two assists and impressing with his direct runs and cute passes.
Should Paraguay progress, then Almiron is unlikely to return to pre-season training at a later date, given that he will be afforded at least a fortnight's rest after the tournament.
Therefore, somewhat perversely, it could be argued that it is actually in Newcastle's interests for Paraguay to be knocked out sooner rather than later, as then Almiron would be back involved with United earlier - meaning he will have additional time to prepare for his first full season as a Premier League player. (CW)
Salomon Rondon 'has told friends' he's waiting for Newcastle United move
Miguel Almiron's scintillating Copa America form offers taste of what's to come from Newcastle winger
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