Porto manager Sergio Conceicao is interested in taking over as Rafael Benitez’s replacement this summer as Newcastle United look for a new head coach, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claim on their website that the 44-year-old ticks the boxes that the Magpies’ chiefs are looking for to take the place of Benitez, whose three year stay at St James’ Park comes to an end this week.
It is stated that with a shortlist being drawn up, Conceicao would meet the criteria the club are looking for but that no approaches will be made for anyone before Benitez’s contract does expire.
The Porto man has been at the Portuguese club for two years, winning the league title in 2018 while reaching the Champions League quarter-finals during the 2018/19 campaign.
Opinion
Newcastle United fans best expect a lot more of this speculation over the next couple of weeks. There are going to be plenty of managers, both in work and currently unemployed, who have their eyes set on a move to the Premier League and so the opening at St James’ Park will be a coveted one. Whether managers should be looking to work under Mike Ashley is another matter entirely. They have just seen one of the most reputable managers in the footballing world leave the Magpies and so they must realise the size of the boots they will be filling. Not only did he work miracles on Tyneside with the squad at his disposal, he was adored by the supporters. It will take an awfully confident individual to believe they can replicate his success under such limiting circumstances. Still, that will not stop plenty from trying to prove to the Newcastle board that they are the right man or woman for the job. Conceicao has proven pedigree and with 2.32 points per average in his 108 games at Porto (Transfermarkt) is clearly doing something right in Portugal.
