Poyet Favourite For The Toon Job!
Last updated : 06 September 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
The model successor would appear to possess a mixture of Keegan's attacking flair, Alan Shearer's hero status, and the charm of Bobby Robson.
And Geordie roots ... like the three mentioned.
OK Keegan is from Doncaster but his dad was a miner at Stanley.
I think we can rule out a Geordie, and no "true" Geordie has ever won the top flight league in its history. Bob Paisley is the closest from Hetton-le-Hole(Mackemland to many Geordies).
So SKY TV have made their own list ...
Gustavo Poyet
A surprise name is the current leading light. Poyet's connections to Wise make him favourite to be the next on the Newcastle merry-go-round.
Poyet is currently assistant manager to Juande Ramos at Tottenham, but the Uruguayan's connections to Wise - who he played with at Chelsea and then served as a coaching No.2 at Swindon and Leeds United - make him a likely choice.
How this would sit with the Newcastle public is, to put it mildly, unclear.
Despite a lack of managerial experience, Poyet is believed to be viewed as the perfect man. However, there could be further backlash if Wise secures his old friend.
Skybet odds: 5/2
Dennis Wise
As technical director at Newcastle, Wise is already well aware of the way the club works and appears to enjoy a good relationship with Mike Ashley.
Unfortunately for Wise, he is not exactly top of the pops in the popularity stakes with Magpies supporters.
As with Poyet, it could be said that it is a little murky as to how London-based Wise's appointment would go down in Newcastle.
However, previous managerial experience at Millwall, Southampton, Swindon Town and Leeds makes Wise a possible candidate and second favourite with the bookmakers.
Skybet odds: 9/2
Alan Shearer
Perhaps the only man who can rival Keegan's popularity and the red-hot first choice of the Newcastle faithful.
Former captain Shearer is a Geordie and as the club's all-time leading goalscorer secured idol status.
Shearer's name is never far away from Newcastle and it appears inevitable he will fill the club's hot-seat at some point in his life.
Whether that will be as successor to Keegan remains uncertain as Shearer is rumoured to be unwilling to take the job at this moment in time.
If Ashley is keen to heal wounds, Shearer is his man. But a lack of managerial experience and other commitments may work against the 38-year-old.
Skybet odds: 11/2
Didier Deschamps
Deschamps could be seen as the thinking man's choice as he would arrive with managerial experience and, perhaps more importantly, no previous connection to Newcastle.
The 39-year-old earned admiring glances as he guided Monaco to the UEFA Champions League final in 2004 and he has also spent time in charge of Juventus.
Over 100 international caps for France have provided a reservoir of creative football knowledge and Deschamps captained his country to glory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Add to the mix previous Premier League experience during his playing days with Chelsea and Deschamps' stock continues to rise.
Skybet odds: 8/1
David Moyes
An abundance of Premier League experience with Everton makes Moyes another popular selection.
The Scot has been linked with Newcastle in the past and Ashley and company may attempt to lure him away from Goodison Park.
It has been rumoured that Moyes has become disheartened on Merseyside following a frustrating summer in the transfer market and an uninspiring start to the season.
After six-years at Everton, Moyes may be looking for a fresh challenge and could be tempted by a change of scenery.
Whether Everton would be willing to allow their boss to leave would be another matter and it is debatable whether Moyes would want to involve himself with another club which has endured problems in the transfer market.
Skybet odds: 8/1
The Best of the Rest
Motherwell boss Mark McGhee is a surprise contender at 10/1 and could offer the blank canvas qualities of Deschamps.
Marcelino Garcia Toral (10/1) possesses the unknown quality and it would be difficult to criticise the Real Zaragoza manager as his reputation continues to climb in Spain.
Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier could prove a shrewd choice at 12/1 after improving fortunes at Anfield at the turn of the Millennium, while ex-Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard, also at twelves, would bring European pedigree.
The Outsiders
If you fancy an adventurous flutter then look no further than Keegan's predecessor Allardyce at 100/1, while Mr Popular at St James' Park, Ruud Gullit, is out of a job after leaving LA Galaxy and available at 50/1.
Other managers who have Newcastle on their Curriculum Vitae, Kenny Dalglish and Souness, are valued at 66/1 and 33/1 respectively.
