Chris Sutton has questioned whether the risk would be ‘too great’ for Newcastle to appoint a manager like Antonio Conte in their current situation, as he told 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
The former striker pointed out that the managerless North East club could be sitting bottom of the Premier League table by the close of play on Sunday.
After Norwich conceded seven last time out to Chelsea, they will be hoping to show a stronger defence against Leeds later on this afternoon at Carrow Road.
It’s all about the three points for Daniel Farke’s side, regardless of how they get them, whether they take a Test-like approach and play boring football. Or go T20 style and go all guns blazing.
But if they win, then Newcastle will drop to the bottom of the table and Sutton suggested whether that would be too risky for an ‘elite manager’ like Conte.
“You say someone of that pedigree,” said Sutton. “But how many are there out there of that pedigree? Those elite managers.
“I think we can describe Conte as an elite manager. But would the risk be too great? Because I think if Norwich win, which is rather likely, then Newcastle could be bottom.”
Conte has been a free agent since leaving Inter Milan in the summer – he helped them to their first Serie A title in a decade.
The Italian’s name has been touted for the now cash-rich Newcastle job, with the Chronicle previously suggesting that he was interested in the role.
If the Magpies somehow manage to lure his coaching talents to St James’ Park, then it would be some coup for the club and a serious statement of intent.
But given Newcastle’s situation, the problems at Manchester United, Conte just recently leaving Inter, then he might be patient and wait for something higher up.
There is a great project awaiting the individual that sits in the Newcastle hotseat, but at the end of the day, they need to sort out their current mess before they can think of that.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
