It’s extremely unlikely that anyone involved at Newcastle United will particularly want to replace Rafa Benitez at the end of the season, though their hands may well be forced.
With a second relegation of the Mike Ashley era looming large over the North East giants, it’s likely that the Spaniard will activate the clause inserted in his deal when he arrived back in March that allows him to leave.
Being a Champions League winner – whose led the likes of Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool – it is hard to imagine Benitez pitting his wits in the Championship.
He’s bound to offers roll in over the course of the summer, with the Spanish national job the latest to be mooted as a possibility. All well and good for him then.
But where do the Toon turn to next? Attracting a boss anywhere near the calibre of their current one will be a desperately difficult task should they fail in their bid to beat the drop.
Will they revert to the norm deployed by the current regime and look for solely a head coach? Or tear up the blueprint that has served them so badly at last and look for a completely left field move?
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Click this image to see FIVE contenders to takeover from Benitez should Newcastle go down.
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Gary Neville
Like Rafa, Gary Neville is a former manager of Spanish giants Valencia, though clearly it did not work out as well for the latter at Los Che.
Sacked after a miserable four months, the England coach is undoubtedly at a cross roads as to where to go next. Clearly, that failed experiment has damaged his stock somewhat, though it would be silly to so easily write off a man who has often thrilled us with his insightful punditry.
Giving him the reins at an upwardly mobile Championship club (as the Magpies could soon well be) could be the perfect tonic for his current woe. He’s a big name with big ideas, though first needs a, for want of a better word, smaller stage such as the Championship to truly implement them.
Nigel Pearson
Newcastle have constantly capitulated this season and the manner of the lion’s share of their defeats have screamed of a lack of mental strength. Crucially, there’s no natural leaders who are overly likely to ruffle a few feathers when the going gets tough.
Moving for the out of work Nigel Peason, who has previously worked as a coach on Tyneside, could well be the move to change that. It’s hard to imagine him not getting stuck in should he believe some of the players aren’t pulling their weight.
He also knows how to navigate the treacherous waters of the Championship and has his stock at an all-time high for his role in the sensational Leicester City story.
David Moyes
David Moyes has often been touted as a potential manager of Newcastle United, though clearly that is not something that has ever come to fruition.
Though it’s not hard to imagine the Scot having Premier League suitors, perhaps the chance to rebuild his reputation (in this country at least) in the second tier would do wonders for him.
After two successive sackings, perhaps he could use dropping down a level just to get his momentum back on track. Stranger things have happened.
The sort of money the Toon could offer, having announced a hefty annual profit, could feasibly tempt the former Manchester United coach into a long term project at St. James’ Park should his terms be met.
Steve Bruce
Barely an awe inspiring appointment, but should Newcastle indeed go down, they will need someone who knows exactly how to get straight back up.
That is imperative for the club due to their recent investments and simply crucial for them going forward. Can you imagine what NOT getting promoted at the first time of asking would do to the Magpies?
So, a move for Hull City coach Steve Bruce may not sound as ridiculous as it instantly sounds. A Geordie through and through (other than a stint as Sunderland boss), he’s led both Birmingham and Hull to the Promised Land and has a decent track record in the English second tier.
Not the most popular appointment, but perhaps the most prudent.
Garry Monk
Axed by Swansea just months after winning the Manger of the Month award and an excellent season last term, Garry Monk remains out of work.
Despite a rough patch in South Wales that led to his dismissal back in September, the former Southampton defender is undoubtedly still a promising young English coach who has previously shown a good ability to mix good results with attractive football.
Should Newcastle go down, perhaps two parties could come to an agreement that is beneficial to both. Clearly, there is huge potential on either side if managed correctly and they could end up bringing the best out of each other.
