Newcastle United will employ a new manager on a ‘temporary’ basis to ensure Premier League survival before a ‘reboot’ in the summer, according to Jim White.
White, speaking on talkSport, believes that Newcastle’s new owners are ‘extremely concerned’ about the threat of relegation and that Steve Bruce’s replacement will be someone with Premier League experience:
“Some more information has come my way late last night. It is my understanding that, at the moment, the appointment of any new manager will only be on a temporary basis. It will only be until the end of the season.
“The Saudis, we are assured, are extremely concerned about losing their Premier League status and it goes with the bad publicity and the Premier League sponsorship suspension – that has all got to be sorted out as well.
“The feeling is there has got to be a proper reboot come summer and the next appointment would be an English manager with Premier League experience to try and ensure safety.
“Thereafter they might go big. If they stay in the Premier League then they might go big and that might be a foreign manager.”
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan also appeared on the show and he claimed former Newcastle United and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce could be a good fit for a return to St James’s Park.
“There’s no good getting a Hollywood signing right now. You need someone who is going to get in among the muck and bullets and get down and dirty to do what it takes to drag them out.
“Who that is going to be and to incentivise them it is going to be a short-term job with an option at the end of it that says ‘if you get 50 points or 47 points you have an option to stay, but if we don’t take that option up we have to pay you some more money’.” Jordan said.
“It does look like somebody like Sam Allardyce or that ilk, which might bring in a sharp intake of breath, but you need someone to get you away from this conundrum.
“Graeme Jones is not the answer because he’s not a manager, he's a coach.”
5. Man United eye Insigne
Manchester United could try to sign Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne on a free transfer, with the player yet to sign a new deal in Italy. (Gazzetta dello Sport) (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) Photo: Francesco Pecoraro
6. McLeish backs Leeds move for Barkley
Alex McLeish has backed Leeds United to make a move for Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, claiming that he could be the “spark” needed to ignite their season. Burnley and Newcastle have also been linked. (Football Insider) (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) Photo: Catherine Ivill
7. Calvert-Lewin in demand
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a target for Newcastle United but Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal are also keen. (The Sun) (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Photo: Mike Hewitt
8. Toon could land Vlahovic
Newcastle United could sign Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic for around £59 million - although a summer deal is looking more likely than a January swoop. Tottenham are also keen. (La Nazione) (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) Photo: Maurizio Lagana