Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has launched the search for a new manager with Alan Pardew’s departure for Crystal Palace imminent.
The sportswear tycoon, currently on holiday in Barbados, had already put the wheels in motion amid fevered speculation over the identity of the seventh permanent boss to occupy the St James’ Park hot seat during his seven and a half year reign to date.
Many of the names thrown up by the rumour mill have already been discounted by sources on Tyneside, including skipper Fabricio Coloccini and ex-York boss Nigel Worthington.
Managing director Lee Charnley is the man conducting the search on Ashley’s behalf, although the club is unlikely to make a snap decision and Pardew’s assistant John Carver and first-team coach Steve Stone will take care of team affairs for tomorrow’s Premier League fixture against Burnley and the FA Cup third round trip to Leicester two days later.
Carver, who will be without striker Papiss Cisse for three games after he accepted a Football Association violent conduct charge
for elbowing Everton defender Seamus Coleman on Sunday, could be considered an outside candidate for the job on a a permanent basis, although current Hull manager and fellow Geordie Steve Bruce may have stronger claims for the post.
There has been popular support for the club’s football development manager Peter Beardsley, while St Etienne boss Christophe Galtier has been linked with the club on several occasions.
However, Ajax manager Frank de Boer has ruled himself out and Ashley’s unwillingness to pay compensation makes a move for Derby’s Steve McClaren, who signed a three-year deal in August, unlikely.
But what is clear is that Newcastle are unlikely to deviate from the club’s established master plan as they look for a way forward.
That blueprint, which involves recruiting players with potential, developing them and selling them at a profit, as the club did with
Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy, is managed by chief scout Graham Carr, who like the manager, was handed an eight-year contract back in 2012, and he is likely to have a significant influence in identifying the number one choice.
Reports have suggested that Pardew decided to call it a day after being told there would not be significant investment in the squad during the forthcoming transfer window.
