Toon seek ‘fresh face’ for revival
WANTED: Miracle worker to revive the richest club in the world with one of the poorest teams in the Premier League.
Newcastle will finalise their hunt for a new manager and director of football after two weeks of interviews, with caretaker coach Graeme Jones admitting St James’ Park needs a “fresh face”.
The Saudis face their first big test as owners – and a gamble on whoever they appoint.
None of the leading lights offer a guaranteed lift, with a hellish run of games approaching in December.
The Toon, in 19th place, have increasingly demoralised players and staff fearing for their jobs amid the takeover.
The ideal man, Rafa Benitez, is in charge at Everton.
One solution being considered is a short-term impact boss – a more sophisticated Sam Allardyce or Tony Pulis?
Lucien Favre has backers but he fell out with star man Allan Saint-Maximin at Nice.
Roberto Martinez, with his Premier League experience, seems a logical choice to team up with Jones.
But would he rather be chasing history with Belgium at the World Cup next year?
Paulo Fonseca wants it although Newcastle need solidity not an attacking coach – and Spurs may have other ideas. Villarreal’s Unai Emery, Ajax’s Erik Ten Hag and Eddie Howe could be in the frame.
How about a recently retired player like John Terry or Frank Lampard?
This Toon show was ultranegative, with no pressing and everyone sitting deep.
Chelsea snuffed out bids to counter attack and the hosts had one trickling shot on target after 85 minutes.
A second-half brace by Reece James and a Jorginho penalty saw Chelsea open a three-point lead at the top.
But rarely in recent years have Newcastle been less competitive or carried less of a goal threat – fans were walking out 13 minutes early. Jones’ game-plan was understandable although he conceded: “It is not a style the fans want. We need to be possession based, we need to score goals, I am aware of that. “This is the position we are in. This is the need at the minute.” Getting to January in touch with safety is the aim at Newcastle. But the signing of even middle-ranking players will not be a simple task if they are under such a serious threat going down.