Chris Sutton has stated that he is ‘staggered’ that Newcastle fans don’t want Belgium boss Roberto Martinez as their next manager, as he told 606.
The new Saudi-led ownership at Newcastle are yet to bring a new face in the St James’ Park dugout, after sacking Steve Bruce over a week ago, with several names linked.
Unai Emery, who is Martinez’s fellow countryman, is one name high on the shortlist it seems, according to Sky Sports.
Former Wigan and Everton boss Martinez, who is in charge of Belgium’s national side, is another name being thrown about, as reported by the Chronicle.
Whilst the Magpies are closer to bringing in a new face than before, it’s not close enough with the Premier League side sitting winless in the relegation zone.
When a Newcastle fan told ex-title-winner Sutton that the fans don’t want Martinez as their new manager, this is how he responded.
“I’m slightly staggered,” said Sutton. “So, Newcastle fans, who you have spoken to, don’t want Roberto Martinez?
“But they would take Eric ten Hag? Why would they take him and not Martinez?”
If Newcastle’s Saudi owners wanted to push for Martinez, then it will be interesting to see whether he would leave his Belgium job at such short notice.
It also needs to be remembered that the World Cup in Qatar is only around the corner, so his mind will be firmly on that, and on that only.
Either way, this Newcastle manager search continues but something needs to be done fast.
There is still plenty of time left to turn things around, but the new man coming in doesn’t want to be in desperation mode by the time he is appointed.
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