MAURICIO POCHETTINO is currently the odds-on favourite to become the next Newcastle manager, ahead of the club’s £300m takeover.
A Saudi Arabian-led consortium is thought to be on the cusp of Premier League approval to buy out unpopular owner Mike Ashley.
Fans hope Mohammad Bin Salman’s mega rich Public Investment Fund will then throw its weight behind the Magpies with a significant transfer spending spree.
Philippe Coutinho and Gareth Bale are just two names filling gossip columns – but there could also be a change in the dugout.
Although Steve Bruce has done a reasonable job in his first season on Tyneside, his future is under threat amid Toon links to ex-Tottenham boss Pochettino.
Ladbrokes’ latest odds have the Argentine down as the clear 10/11 favourite to become Newcastle’s next permanent manager.
Reports suggest Pochettino is already in talks with the Magpies’ prospective new owners about taking over from Bruce, who has just over two years left to run on his contract.
Second place in the bookies’ table is Rafa Benitez, at 11/4 in what would be a very popular return for the Spaniard after he left the North-East last year.
Zinedine Zidane is rated at 8/1 for a shock switch from Real Madrid.
There are rumours the Frenchman could be moving on from the Bernabeu if the rest of the season does not go to plan and he will be hot property on the managerial market if so.
Toon hero Kevin Keegan joins RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann and Massimiliano Allegri at 12/1, the Italian tactician currently on a sabbatical after departing from Juventus.
Completing the top ten are Portuguese veteran Jorge Jesus, currently at Flamengo, and Spain boss Luis Enrique (14/1), before Eddie Howe and Roberto Mancini are back at 16/1.
A new era at St James’ Park is expected to kick off in the coming weeks when the Premier League gives the green light to Ashley’s sale.
Attention being switched to Project Restart created a delay in officials casting an eye over the takeover’s details.
And with the owners and directors’ test passed successfully, an announcement could be made by June 1 if the final funding and paperwork hurdles are passed.
