Newcastle should have no bother in pulling in attractive candidates to take up the club’s vacant managerial role, according to former midfielder Joey Barton.
The Magpies are on the hunt for a new boss after it was announced on Monday that Rafael Benitez was to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract on Sunday, having been unable to thrash out an agreement with owner Mike Ashley.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s Drivetime programme, ex-Newcastle man and current Fleetwood Town boss Barton said that there will be some “top managers” enquiring about the post.
“A club with the standing of Newcastle will always get top drawer candidates, without a shadow of a doubt,” the 36-year-old said. “It is a phenomenal football club so there will be no shortage of top managers wanting to take that job.
“The next appointment is crucial because Rafa has left a solid foundation, a Premier League club with some exciting players and you want to add to that.
“The Geordie fans just want success, they want to see their team play good football and challenge and have a go and play with pride. As long as you do that, the fans up there will idolise you.
“Any manager that comes in has got a solid platform to showcase Newcastle United as a football club.“
OPINION
Barton is spot on here, the Newcastle job will be an attractive one for many top managers. The club is at a crossroads, and the imperative thing is that they go in the right direction. The worst case scenario out of all of this is that the Magpies end up getting relegated next season, but it is too early to say anything about that. We don’t even know who will be at the helm yet. But any top manager out there will be thinking that this job is a real chance to increase their reputation tenfold. If someone comes in and stabilises the club, they will have done a fantastic job, since there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team at the moment. But the biggest challenge will be to take the club forward, and hats off to anyone who does it. It’s certainly possible – that’s not the issue – but it’s a case of making the right decisions both on and off the pitch, and anyone who can guide the Magpies to a stable future will be praised highly by the fans after the manner of Benitez’s departure.
