Manager claims he received shock approach to replace Rafa Benitez at NUFC – & says he was keen to take job

American coach Anthony Hudson has told talkSPORT that he was contacted about potentially replacing Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United over the summer.

He claims that someone reached out to him before Steve Bruce’s arrival, saying he’d been identified as the ‘the right fit’ for the role, with us said to be after a ‘young coach’ at the time – not a ‘manager’.

Here’s what Hudson – who was recently sacked by US side Colorado Rapids – said on Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast show this morning:

“I didn’t speak to the club… I had someone reach out to me,”

“They wanted a young coach, they didn’t want a ‘manager’ and they thought I’d be the right fit.

“I don’t think you can turn that down.”

It was reported in the final week of June that Lee Charnley had ‘interviewed’ Hudson following Rafa’s imminent exit, however nothing more came of it.

With that and his comments today in mind, it sounds like he was in fact someone we got in touch with soon after Rafa departed, immediately showing how low we’d set the bar as far as his replacement was concerned!

Considering his CV includes a sacking in America and an unsuccessful spell with New Zealand, it’s fair to say we may have dodged a bullet here – even if some feel Bruce was a poor appointment.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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