Newcastle United are considering replacing Steve Bruce following their Saudi-led takeover, but would struggle to appoint Steven Gerrard or Antonio Conte as their next manager.
That’s according to The Telegraph, who claim the Magpies’ new hierarchy are weighing up Bruce’s future at St James’ Park. Mike Ashley sold the Toon on Thursday for £305m to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers.
Staveley confirmed after the announcement of the buyout that she had spoken with Bruce and Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles. The consortium have yet decided Bruce’s future on Tyneside. But Sky Sports claim it is a case of when, rather than if, the 60-year-old leaves.
Newcastle’s new Saudi-led owners have several candidates in mind to replace Bruce as the club’s next manager. Rangers boss Gerrard and former Chelsea head coach Conte are two options in the early running to take charge.
However, Gerrard is happy at Ibrox and would need persuading to leave Glasgow and move to the North-East of England. The ex-Liverpool and England midfielder led Rangers to the Premiership title last season and is looking to win back-to-back championships.
Conte would also be a problematic candidate for Newcastle, if chosen as the preferred next Magpies manager following their takeover. The Italian is waiting for the right opportunity to return to the dugout after leaving Inter Milan this summer.
Currently, Conte does not consider Newcastle as the right fit, so would not be interested in replacing Bruce. His stance could change, but Staveley, PIF and the Reuben brothers would need a strong argument to convince the 52-year-old.
Conte to disappoint some Newcastle fans by rejecting manager role despite takeover
Conte would disappoint some Newcastle supporters were he to reject becoming the club’s next manager, replacing Bruce, despite the takeover. Some took to social media ahead of the announcement on Thursday calling for PIF et al to appoint the Italian.
He boasts a tremendous trophy cabinet from spells in charge of Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan. The Lecce-born coach has lifted four Serie A crowns – including 2020/21 – plus one Premier League title and an FA Cup.
PIF, Staveley and the Reuben brothers may have to make several substantial guarantees to make Conte the next Newcastle manager. He spoke with Tottenham over succeeding Jose Mourinho this summer, but several differences saw Chairman Daniel Levy pull the plug.
Reports by The Sun claim Levy refused to pay Conte – who Andrea Pirlo hails as a ‘genius’ – £15m-a-year and sanction a war chest exceeding £100m to rebuild Spurs to his liking.
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