Newcastle United Search for New Manager
Rafa Benitez has announced his decision to leave Newcastle United when his current deal runs out on the 30th June. It was no secret the club Premier League club were trying to convince the Spaniard to sign a new deal but clearly the demands he wanted, especially to improve the team, were not going to be met.
We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time,” said a Newcastle statement. “However, it has not been – and will not be – possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives.”
The backroom staff of Paco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia will also leave the club and that leaves Newcastle United with a big decision to make and quickly. Who will come in and try to keep the Magpies in the Premier League next season?
Mourinho Back in the Premier League?
Jose Mourinho has been out of football since his sacking by Manchester United last season. He has spent time as an analyst on television but has so far not been drawn on what he would like to do next.
His experience in the Premier League is obvious and the Portuguese has tasted success wherever he has been. However, Mourinho is not one to mince his words when it comes to issues like transfers and he is likely to be on a collision course with owner, Mike Ashley, from the off.
Mourinho will probably be concerned, just like Benitez, about the funds available to attract top players to the club plus the investment required to improve the training facilities. However, despite these drawbacks, Mourinho is the favourite with the bookmakers at 6/1 with William Hill to be the next manager of Newcastle United.
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is the current assistant manager of Manchester City and has been enjoying plenty of success working with Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard is yet to take the reins at a football club so he will be taking a step up should he make the move from the Etihad to St James’ Park.
It is not the first time Arteta has been linked with a move into management in the Premier League having been one of the favourites to take over at Arsenal following the departure of Arsene Wenger. Whether Arteta thinks the Newcastle United job is suitable is another matter and he is 8/1 with Ladbrokes to become their next manager.
Other Contenders
Other names linked with the job include Gary Monk at 9/1 with William Hill, Avram Grant at 10/1 with Ladbrokes and David Moyes at 12/1 with William Hill. None of the three names listed are going to get Newcastle United fans excited but it appears options are limited.
The club cannot afford to wait because the new seasons begins on the 11th August with a home match against Arsenal.