In modern day football you seem to be only one defeat away from a crisis. At Newcastle United, it seems like manager Alan Pardew is currently in that precarious position of needing wins and points to save his job.

The ‘Toon’ boss has the fans calling for his head and has had the dreaded vote of confidence from owner Mike Ashley.

A lot was expected of Newcastle this term as they had bought well in the summer but the club are stuck at the foot of the English Premier League table and have yet to secure their first league win of the season.

Scoring goals has been a major problem as the new squad struggle to gel. A 3-3 home draw with Crystal Palace and a 4-0 defeat away to Southampton have been deemed totally unacceptable. Should they get another poor result against Stoke City this weekend and it could be curtains for Pardew’s time on the Tyne.

If the ‘Magpies’ vacancy were to become available then quite a few unemployed managers would certainly take interest, even if it means working with Ashley and having an arm tied behind their back.

Should they need a new man, then the next appointment will show the world, just how ambitious Newcastle are or aren’t!

So here is five out of work gentleman that could be in the frame should Newcastle United decide that they need a change.

Neil Lennon: 

The former Celtic man will be itching to get back into work after a few months rest. At Newcastle he would be at a big club, and he obviously has experience managing a club of that stature. He has a Champions League background, overseeing Celtic’s historic win over Barcelona in 2012.

During his time in Glasgow, he brought his players together and had them playing for him and believing in him. That could be just what the ‘Magpies’ need at this moment in time. Another plus is that Lennon has worked well with a good scouting system in the past. Has also learned well from mentor Martin O’Neill in protecting his CV.

Question marks remain as to whether or not Lennon and Celtic were just the perfect fit and whether he can replicate that elsewhere.

Tim Sherwood:

Did a reasonably good job at Spurs and is a young, confident manager who will see the job as an ideal way to cement his burgeoning reputation. Has turned down a few clubs already this summer as they were deemed not big enough for him.

Would be seen as another southern softie that would only placate the board and not the fans. That could mean yet another turbulent era for the club as Tim can be a divisive figure.

Everyone still needs to be convinced on Sherwood’s credentials. Is he justifiably confident or just arrogant? Only when he gets his next job will we be able to tell.

Tony Pulis:

Has vast English Premier League experience. Things went stale at Stoke City after seven successful years. Often maligned at Stoke because of his tactics, he showed last term at Crystal Palace that he can inspire any group of players and can also implement an exciting style of football.

Always seems to get the optimum from the players at his disposal. Would see Newcastle United as his last chance of managing a ‘big’ club. But would probably demand that Ashley and the board spent more on the squad and that might work against him.

Another issue; would the Newcastle fans take to him? They might see his tactics as a step-back. Just look at how they reacted to Sam Allardyce tenure in 2007.

Clarence Seedorf:

The Dutch coach had a fantastic playing career and would gain instant respect from the players.

Wasn’t treated well when he returned to boss AC Milan last season. In my opinion, he deserved at least a year at the San Siro before assessing his impact. Would be an interesting appointment that could be seen as having too much imagination for the Toon board.

Obviously he still has to prove himself as a top team coach but he is an intelligent football man, that will have the hunger to show the footballing world just how talented he can be.

But remember what happened the last time Newcastle Utd hired a Dutch legend?

David Moyes:

Moyes would be another boss desperate to prove his worth again. Had a fantastic time at Everton but a horrible year at Old Trafford (Louis Van Gaal isn’t faring much better at Man Utd).

Would see Newcastle United as a club with the right stature to once again show he is a top EPL manager. But would be wary of the Ashley regime (that is a common theme). Plus would the club want to take on his big wage?

Has his career been fatally wounded by his experience in replacing Sir Alex Ferguson or can he comeback and show he is even greater due to the lows of last season? An owner will need to take the gamble for us to find-out.

 

Posted on September 26th, 2014 by scott
Filed under: Article