Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is on pole position to replace Steve Bruce as the next Newcastle United manager, per Gianluca Di Marzio, thrilling some fans on social media.
The Toon’s new owners view changing the club’s head coach as the first priority following last week’s Saudi-led takeover. It is the first stage of their vision for making the Magpies a real challenger in England and in Europe.
Bruce has stood at the St James’ Park helm since July 2019, and has overseen 96 games in all competitions. But the 60-year-old has only won 29 games and taken 25 draws, with 23 wins and draws in the league.
Rodgers is now the leading candidate to replace Bruce if – or rather when – Newcastle’s new owners change the club’s manager. The Sun had previously suggested Frank Lampard was the favoured option, as he targets his return to the dugout.
Newcastle admire Rodgers and may see the 2021 FA Cup winning coach as the one to build their brighter future. But the Toon will have to pay €16m (£13.5m) to break the 48-year-old from his Foxes contract, running to 2025.
Rodgers joined Leicester in 2019 after three-years with Celtic, and has won 64 of his 122 games at the helm. He has also taken all three-points in 45 of 93 top-flight fixtures, and claimed fifth-place finishes in both of his two full seasons in charge at the King Power.
Newcastle would also owe Bruce £8m to part with Rafa Benitez’s Tyneside successor, per The Telegraph. A decision on Bruce’s future could come before hiring a replacement, with assistant Graeme Jones in line to take charge on an interim basis during the transition.
Newcastle fans react to Rodgers top choice to become next manager after Bruce
Di Marzio claiming Rodgers is now the top choice to become the next Newcastle manager after Bruce has thrilled fans. That’s because some believe the Northern Irishman would be the ideal choice to take over at St James’.
A few fans also noted Rodgers’ record of building and sustaining success in his previous jobs. Along with winning the FA Cup with Leicester last season, he oversaw Swansea’s promotion in 2010/11 and 11th-place finish in their first Premier League campaign.
However, the Daily Mail report Rodgers would have no interest in becoming the next Newcastle manager. He, instead, is holding out with the aim of replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in 18-months’ time.
So, here are some of the messages Newcastle fans have shared on Rodgers potentially becoming their next manager after Bruce…
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