7 candidates still linked with Newcastle job as owners stall over appointment

Newcastle United's new owners are still looking to appoint the first manager of the club's new era after sacking Steve Bruce almost two weeks ago.

A host of different candidates have been linked with the job, although some, such as Antonio Conte, have distanced themselves from the rumours.

With interim boss Graeme Jones having taken charge of his second match in Saturday's loss to Chelsea, he has now completed the two matches he was reportedly asked to take charge of by the new owners.

However, Newcastle appear no closer to appointing a new boss before their match away to Brighton on Saturday.

So, here are seven managerial candidates still linked with the Newcastle job.

Erik Ten Hag

For much of the new owners' tenure so far, Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag has been their reported first choice to become the new manager at St. James' Park.

This comes along with their interest in bringing Ajax's director of football Marc Overmars to the club as well.

However, the Mirror report that Ten Hag has concerns over leaving a club top of the Eredivisie and their Champions League group to take over a team in the Premier League relegation zone.

In addition, he is understood to be on the shortlist to replace Ronald Koeman as manager of Spanish giants Barcelona.

Unai Emery

Newcastle have reportedly now identified former Arsenal boss Unai Emery as their prime target to replace Bruce as manager.

It is understood that they would want him in charge before the match with Brighton this coming weekend with Emery now installed as the bookies' favourite for the job.

Despite struggling as Arsene Wenger's replacement at the Emirates Stadium, Emery won the Europa League with Villarreal last season, his fourth time winning the competition.

Paulo Fonseca

Prior to Emery, Paulo Fonseca had been the strong favourite to become Newcastle's new manager with reports suggesting he was ready to accept a proposal from the owners to take the job.

Rumours linking the Portuguese boss with a move to the north east have cooled since and it was feared Tottenham Hotspur may approach him after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked.

However, Spurs are instead believed to be close to confirming Conte as their new manager, leaving Fonseca still available for the Magpies.

Roberto Martinez

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has consistently been mentioned as a potential candidate to take over at St. James' Park.

He is understood to be open to a return to club football with his contract set to expire with the Belgian national team in 2022.

He has been in charge of the Red Devils since 2016 and took them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Unlike many on this list, he does have considerable experience managing in the Premier League with both Wigan Athletic and Everton.

In addition, though, he is also thought to be on the Barcelona shortlist along with Ten Hag.

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Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe has been without a club since leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2019/20 season, with the Newcastle job the latest role he has been linked with.

He was reported to have turned down the chance to become manager of Scottish giants Celtic in the summer before Ange Postecoglou was appointed.

It is likely he may do the same if the Newcastle owners were to approach him as he is said to instead be willing to wait for the Southampton job to become available.

Nuno Espirito Santo

Having been sacked by Spurs on Monday, Nuno has immediately begun to be linked with a quick return to management at Newcastle.

He lasted just 10 league matches in charge in north London after being appointed in the summer and had won the Premier League manager of the month award for August.

It remains unclear how soon the former Wolves boss will be looking to get back into management and the Newcastle job may come to soon for him.

Lucien Favre

One of the early favourites for the job, Lucien Favre has remained amongst the regular names linked with the Newcastle hot seat.

The Swiss manager was understood to have agreed to become Crystal Palace manager in the summer but failed to obtain a work permit.

Palace went on to appoint Patrick Vieira instead but Favre remains available having been without a club since leaving Borussia Dortmund in December last year.

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