Newcastle have money, but need miracles
RUTHLESS CHELSEA EXPOSE DEPTH OF ISSUES TOON HAVE TO SOLVE TO BEAT THE DROP
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BY SIMON BIRD
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 Greame Jones admitting the place needs a “fresh face.”
The Saudis are facing 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 19th-placed club has increasingly demoralised players and backroom staff fearing for their jobs amid the takeover turmoil.
The ideal man, Rafa Benitez, is currently bossing Everton.
One solution being considered is to appoint a short-term impact boss until the end of the season, rather than a longer term club builder.
A more sophisticated Sam Allardyce or Tony Pulis? Lucien
Favre has backers but no Premier League experience, and fell out with star man Allan Saint-Maximin at Nice.
Jones admitted last week the winger needs to be “free and happy” and Favre’s arrival won’t help that.
Roberto Martinez, with his Premier League experience and FA Cup-winning exploits seems a logical choice to team up with Jones. But would he rather be making history with Belgium at the World Cup in 13 months’ time, or taking over this shower?
How about a club and country job-share, risking accusations of not having a full eye of either role?
Paulo Fonseca wants it, but Newcastle need solidity not an attacking, flair coach. It’s fine promising entertainment and domination of the ball, but has he seen this stale squad try to play? Maybe fine coach Unai Emery is the answer but is at Villarreal. Ajax chief Erik Ten Hag may have better options soon.
Eddie Howe? Took Bournemouth down.
How about a recently retired player? The ambition and stature of John Terry or Frank Lampard?
The Saudi regime is signing every decision off, leading to dithering over Steve Bruce’s sacking and even the policy change on Arabic fancy dress.
Two weeks ago the talk from director Amanda Staveley was of building a club to be title contenders.
But no-one thought it would be chasing the Championship
title, which is a very real prospect after a 10-game winless run despite facing sides in 18th, 16th, 15th, 14th and 13th in previous games.
This Toon show was ultranegative, with no press on the ball, sitting deep.
Chelsea snuffed out attempts to counter-attack and United had no corners and one trickling shot on target after 85 minutes.
A second-half brace from Reece James (below) and a Jorginho penalty saw Chelsea open up a three-point gap at the top of the table.
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, but he conceded: “It is not a style the fans want. We need to be possession-based, need to score goals, I am aware of that. This is the position we are in, the need at the minute.”
Three home games against Brentford, Norwich and Burnley in the next five games offer a chance, before a horror run against the elite in December.
Getting to January in touch with safety is the aim.
But signing even middleranking players won’t be simple if Newcastle are under such a serious threat of relegation.