Newcastle United job: The early pacesetters as Pardew prepares to join Palace

By David Lee Wheatley      @davewh1980

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew surprisingly agreed to talks with Crystal Palace over their managerial vacancy yesterday following a rollercoaster four-year spell at the St. James' Park helm, thus opening up an attractive post to a host of interested managers across Europe.

Here are the latest names being linked to the top job on Tyneside, as the club attempt to appease fans largely unhappy with the direction the club has taken in recent times.

FABRICIO COLOCCINI: Current United defender Coloccini enjoys a strong relationship with the club's board, but has absolutely no experience as a coach to date. There's been a rush of bets on him overnight to become the next permanent manager making him favourite for the role.

PETER BEARDSLEY: Former Newcastle favourite Beardsley has been doing sterling work with the club's academy and may be offered the chance to take over the senior team. Would be a popular choice.

TONY PULIS: Has been out of work since keeping Crystal Palace up last season and would jump at the chance to manage the Magpies, but his direct brand of football wouldn't go down well with many Toon supporters.

FRANK DE BOER: Has enjoyed splendid success domestically with four successive Ajax title victories. De Boer would probably only leave the Amsterdam giants for a Champions League qualification contender, while his agent says there's no chance he'll jump ship mid-season. However, he seemingly ticks all of the boxes in terms of what Newcastle require if they could nab him.

STEVE BRUCE: Corbridge-born Bruce is struggling to keep Hull City out of Premier League relegation trouble, so it remains to be seen whether the ex-Sunderland boss would be welcomed back to his Geordie roots with open arms. Experienced relative success with the likes of Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic, but struggled badly with heightened expectation when last working in the north-east. Would almost certainly accept an offer from Newcastle having reportedly come close to the post on at least two occasions in the past.

ALLY MCCOIST: Led Glasgow Rangers through two quick-fire promotions from Scottish League Two to the Championship after suffering the heartache of demotion to the bottom tier. However, continual upheaval at boardroom level eventually enforced his decision to resign with Rangers sitting in second spot behind leaders Hearts. The Newcastle job would appear too big a step due to his lack of coaching experience outside of Scotland, but owner Mike Ashley's business links to Rangers will undoubtedly see McCoist strongly linked.

CHRISTOPHE GALTIER: Rumours were rife in May about a reported Newcastle approach for Saint-Etienne head coach Galtier's services only for the 48-year-old to remain in France. He took Les Verts to creditable finishes of 10th, 7th, 5th and 4th after previous short stints in charge of Marseille and Aris Salonika. The former Portsmouth assistant to Alain Perrin is likely to be high up on the list of contenders.

RAFA BENITEZ: A slightly fanciful name thrown into the ring is that of former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Benitez. The current Napoli coach could be tempted by a return to England with his future in Italy unclear thanks to stalling contract talks. Has claimed 12 major honours in a highly decorated career, so would be expected to wait for a team competing in continental competition to hand him a way out of Naples.

TIM SHERWOOD: Has been linked to a series of Premier League and Championship jobs since leaving Tottenham Hotspur, where his straight-talking style divided public opinion. Sherwood would almost certainly fancy taking on the gargantuan task of leading the Magpies, but his appointment would be met with collective dismay on Tyneside.

REMI GARDE: Former Arsenal player Garde left Lyon at the end of last season for personal reasons following three years in charge. He inspired a French Cup triumph in 2012, but couldn't return the club to their former dominance of Ligue 1. His decision to take a break from football to spend more time with his family just over six months ago might suggest he's unwilling to rejoin the managerial merry-go-round yet.

TEMURI KETSBAIA: Georgian who stepped down as head coach of his national side in November following heavy defeat at the hands of Poland in a Euro 2016 qualifying match. Ketsbaia enjoyed cult hero status during his Newcastle playing days and has often spoken of his desire to one day manage the Magpies. Must be considered an outsider for the role, though.

JOHN CARVER: Newcastle-born Carver has served as assistant manager to both Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Pardew at St. James' Park, while also having a short spell as caretaker following Robson's departure. It's unclear whether Carver would have the appetite to take over the hot-seat on a permanent basis.p

GLENN HODDLE: The former England manager has been out of top-flight management for several years and may be viewed as a stop-gap appointment if handed the United reins. Hoddle currently splits his time between media work and carrying out coaching duties as part of the backroom staff at QPR. 

Have Manchester City finally learned how to succeed in Europe?

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley   @davewh1980

 

Manchester City looked dead and buried in Champions League Group E after four winless matches, but they somehow turned it around in spectacular fashion to make it through to the last 16 for a second successive season.

Manuel Pellegrini looked to have resigned himself to Manchester City’s European fate when his charges claimed a solitary point from a feisty double-header with CSKA Moscow.

A shock 2-1 loss to the Russian outfit on match-day four left City almost out of the competition and requiring wins against German giants Bayern Munich and Italians Roma to give themselves any chance of qualification.

Not many observers foresaw a turnaround - Pellegrini included. However, a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Bayern, orchestrated by Sergio Aguero, handed the Citizens an unexpected lifeline.

Yet, they needed to journey over to the Eternal City and grab all three points in order to avoid elimination. Furthermore, they had to complete the task without talismanic Aguero and respected captain Vincent Kompany through injury, plus midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure who was ruled out due to suspension.

Meanwhile, magical playmaker David Silva was also forced to warm the bench as he continued his recovery from a knee injury - the omens did not appear good.
Roma went for the jugular from the outset in a decidedly chilly Stadio Olimpico, but were denied time and again by the inspired Joe Hart in City’s goal.

Gervinho broke free on a number of occasions, with one low shot in particular tipped brilliantly round the post by Hart. Greek defender Kostas Manolas was also unfortunate to see a goalbound header diverted by the slightest of touches from the visiting ‘keeper onto the upright.

In the group’s other showdown, Bayern had taken an 18th-minute lead at home to contenders CSKA, who also began the evening level on points with Roma and Manchester City. The match had suddenly become a do-or-die play-off between the two teams going head-to-head at the Olimpico.

It took an hour of mainly withstanding Roma’s marauding breakaways until the away outfit gained a foothold in the game through a stunning shot from the left edge of the box by Samir Nasri that cannoned in off the inside of a post, thus leaving Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis grasping at thin air.

The hosts then sacrificed defensive duties almost entirely in a bid to claw their way back into the contest, but that policy eventually fell foul of a City counter which unlikely goalscorer Pablo Zabaleta finished off to gleefully wrap up his side’s advancement to the knockout phase.

Manchester City have largely struggled to repeat their domestic form of recent years on the European stage, but the professionalism which characterised Wednesday night’s performance suggests they may finally be getting to grips with what it takes to attain success in the continental arena.