Sources: 'Massive push' for Martinez at Newcastle as board told deal can be done
Roberto Martinez is being "massively pushed" for the Newcastle United job by caretaker boss Graeme Jones, Football Insider understands.
United are expected to appoint a new manager during the upcoming international break but Jones has revealed his own future at St James' Park has been assured by the new owners.
A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that the 51-year-old has made it clear to the board that Martinez should be named as Steve Bruce's permanent successor.
Jones has let it be known that he believes the Spaniard, 48, can be lured from his current post as Belgium manager.
Jones has a strong relationship with Martinez and was his assistant manager for over a decade starting at Swansea City and continuing with Wigan Athletic, Everton and the Belgium national team.
Newcastle are working their way through a list of manager targets amid growing fears they could be relegated.
The source explained that previous Premier League experience is regarded as a key requisite for
That would appear to rule out the likes of Paulo Fonseca and Lucien Favre, who have been linked with the post in recent weeks.
Martinez is a realistic target for the Saudi-backed public investment fund (PiF) even though he is contracted to Belgium through to the 2022 World Cup.
He is currently the third favourite with bookmakers, behind Unai Emery and Fonseca.