Toon can get buzz back says Barton

WARREN BARTON says the ambitious prospective owners of Newcastle can recreate the buzz of the Kevin Keegan era.

Former Magpies defender Barton, below, believes his old club will be back on the map if the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund deal goes ahead and they appoint a top manager and recruit well.

Barton, who lives in San Diego, has his coaching badges and would love to be part of a new set-up if and when Mike Ashley sells up for £300million.

A member of the side which thrilled the nation in the midnineties under Keegan, he said: “Momentum is a big thing in sport.We want to hit the Premier

League by storm. Get one big player, a big name coach, and it is a snowball effect.

“Get it like we had in 1995, to challenge, get in the Champions League, in cup finals.”

That would mean former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino replacing Steve Bruce.

Barton said: “Pochettino has a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove a point. He is hungry and ambitious.

“I respect Steve. He has got clubs into the Premier League, got them into mid-table and survived.

“But I don’t want Newcastle to just survive.We need a coach who can take it forward.”