Newcastle United alerted to managerial contract clause as Premier League assess takeover
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Head coach Steve Bruce faces an uncertain future at St James’s Park if a takeover, led by Amanda Staveley, is approved by the Premier League.
The Gazette understands that a decision on Bruce won’t be made until the end of a season which has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic if the £300million deal is given the go-ahead.
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Hide AdStaveley, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and billionaire property investors David and Simon Reuben, submitted a documents to the Premier League after agreeing a deal with owner Mike Ashley, who has made no comment on the proposed takeover.
Bruce, controversially appointed as Rafa Benitez’s managerial successor, is said to “fear” for his future at Newcastle.
Pochettino has been linked with the job, though Benitez, manager of Chinese side Dalian Yifang, is the bookmakers’ favourite to be the club’s next manager.
The issue with Benitez is his lucrative contract, which has two years left to run.
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Hide AdPochettino, meanwhile, is out of work following his dismissal last November.
Tottenham placed Pochettino – who guided the club to last season’s Champions League final – on gardening leave, and the club have continued to pay his £8.5million salary, in full, since replacing him with Jose Mourinho, who is said to earn £15million a year.
The Evening Standard report that under the terms of Pochettino’s departure, Tottenham would only be due compensation if he takes a new job within six months.
This deadline will pass on May 19, meaning Newcastle – or any other club – would not need to pay compensation to appoint the 48-year-old after this date.
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Hide AdTottenham – who abandoned plans to furlough non-playing staff using the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme after a public backlash – have reportedly spoken to Pochettino about a wage deferral.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s non-playing and coaching staff, including head of recruitment Steve Nickson, remain furloughed.