The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder reports that Steve Bruce’s job is safe heading into Saturday’s crucial clash with Brighton, however it seems this stance could change if we were to slip into the bottom three this weekend.
He states that Mike Ashley is reluctant to hand the NUFC boss a big pay off while money is tight and also having reservations of replacing him with a new manager on a big contract – something that could alter finances for potential new owners.
That said, it seems fear of relegation and the millions he’d lose as a result could see a change arrive over the international break should we lose to Brighton on Saturday – a result that would leave us in the bottom three if Fulham beat Leeds on Friday.
One intriguing part of Lee Ryder’s piece are the names he mentions as possible candidates to replace Steve Bruce.
He claims that both Eddie Howe and Frank Lampard are eyeing a return to management – although the former is reluctant to have another relegation on his CV after taking Bournemouth down last season.
The report also states that former Stoke and Man City boss Mark Hughes is ‘desperate’ for another crack at Premier League management – hence his countless appearances as a TV pundit in recent weeks. Not that he’d be a popular or remotely inspiring choice!
The last man mentioned and the ‘name to watch’ is Roberto Martinez – who has already confirmed he’ll step down as Belgium’s manager after the Euros.
This means he would only be an option later this summer, but it’s thought he’s a ready-made option given previous links with the job in 2019 and the fact his trusted assistant Graeme Jones is already in situ on Tyneside.
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