Ben Dawson is in the frame to be caretaker manager of Newcastle United, according to the Chronicle.
The regional newspaper claim that the Magpies may turn to the Geordie coach to lead pre-season if they’re unable to find a manager to succeed Rafa Benitez this week.
The Chronicle report that Dawson was supposed to be taking up a technical role at the club’s academy as head of coaches, but the Magpies may turn to him due to his organisational skills.
It is believed that Dawson could be assisted by Neil Redfearn, with goalkeeper coach Simon Smith also still on the club’s books.
OPINION
Well, Dawson may be a more inspiring choice than Redfearn to be caretaker manager, but it still won’t inspire most fans. The Geordie coach was in charge of the Magpies’ U-23s team in the 2018/19 season and guided them to the Premier League 2 play-off final as well as the Premier League Cup final. Granted the Magpies’ U-23s lost that play-off final, 2-1 to Southampton, and lost the cup final to Everton, 1-0; but it shouldn’t take away from what was a promising campaign. Dawson no doubt knows a lot of the first-team players well from being at the club for years and is aware of any youngster that could be worth giving a chance to in pre-season. After all the coach’s new role, the Academy’s Head of Coaching, will see him look after the professional development phase from under-17 to under-23 level, so the Magpies must have faith that he is able to spot potential when he sees it. So with that in mind, Dawson may not be the worst choice to be put in temporary charge, especially if Redfearn assists him as the 54-year-old has experience of managing a senior team after spells at Leeds United and Rotherham, but he clearly isn’t a long-term solution.
