Revealed: Newcastle to open new manager talks, one big hurdle to climb
Newcastle United are hopeful of opening preliminary talks with Mauricio Pochettino next month, Football Insider understands.
The Argentine has emerged as the number one choice of Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium as it finalises its £300million takeover.
A Newcastle source has told Football Insider the club’s new owners have already expressing their interest in talking to Pochettino about replacing Steve Bruce this summer.
Discussions with the 48-year-old are likely to take place next month when the takeover is complete.
Football Insider revealed last week that Pochettino is interested in discussing the Newcastle role and listening to what the club’s new owners have to say.
The big hurdle for the Saudi-backed new owners is convincing the man who took Tottenham to last season’s Champions League final that he can achieve his ambitions at St James’ Park.
Even were Staveley’s consortium to meet Pochettino’s salary demands – and the word is that will not be an issue – then they must demonstrate there will be the investment in players, infrastructure and the academy that can catapult Newcastle into top-four contention.
The former defender has managed three clubs in his post-playing career – Espanyol, Southampton and Tottenham.
All three were transformed during his tenure, with Spurs established into a European and Premier League heavyweight during his five-and-a-half years despite a budget that was dwarfed by rivals.
Pochettino has hinted his next job will be in England or Spain, but does not appear fixated with one of Europe’s elite.
In other Newcastle United news, it can be REVEALED that the club are ready to blow Tottenham out of the water to sign attacking star.