5 Candidates to Replace Alan Pardew If Newcastle United Falter Again

After an alarming opening 45 minutes at Everton last week, when Newcastle United found themselves 3-0 down, speculation was rife that manager Alan Pardew had offered to resign.

The rumours, however, were swiftly denied, and Sky Tyne and Wear suggested there was no truth in the reports following the Magpies’ second-successive defeat.

The ship was steadied somewhat last weekend, with the Toon picking up their second away victory of the season with a 2-1 win at Cardiff City.

But with a tough set of fixtures coming up and the United boss under constant pressure, we take a look at five figures who could replace Pardew should their form start to stutter again.

Roberto Di Matteo

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Somewhat surprisingly, Roberto Di Matteo is still without a job since steering Chelsea to a Champions League and FA Cup double in 2012.

The former West Bromwich Albion and Milton Keynes Dons boss took over the reigns as caretaker manager at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

Having landed Europe’s top prize—something the likes Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti had failed to do before him—the Italian was handed the vacancy on a permanent basis, but lasted a matter of months.

Since his controversial dismissal last November, the 43-year-old has been without a role, and though he was recently linked with the Sunderland post before the appointment of Gus Poyet, Di Matteo remains a free agent.

Sky Bet odds to be next permanent Newcastle United manager: 25/1

Gianfranco Zola

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Another Italian who could be tempted to the North-East should the Newcastle United job become available is current Watford boss Gianfranco Zola.

The former Parma and Chelsea forward has been in situ at Vicarage Road since last July and almost led the Hornets to the Premier League before narrowly losing out to Crystal Palace in the play-off final at Wembley.

The 47-year-old has top-flight experience in England with West Ham United, where he replaced Alan Curbishley in 2008 after a spell coaching Italy’s Under-21s.

His creative style as a player has followed him into management, and as both West Ham and Watford fans will testify, his sides play with an eye-catching degree of flair and invention.

Sky Bet odds to be next permanent Newcastle United manager: 25/1

Harry Redknapp

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When Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley decided to dismiss Sam Allardyce in January 2008, Harry Redknapp was one of the first names in the frame to replace him.

Then manager of Portsmouth, Redknapp held talks with the Magpies’ hierarchy—only to turn down their offer in favour of an extended stay on the south coast.

After BBC Sport ran the story, Ashley took a different path that led to the ill-fated appointment of Kevin Keegan later that month.

Currently in charge of Queens Park Rangers, who are second in the Championship table, the 66-year-old seems settled in his native South-East, but would the top job at St. James’ Park tempt him into one last move?

Sky Bet odds to be next permanent Newcastle United manager: 20/1

Stuart Pearce

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Stuart Pearce knows a thing or two about Newcastle United, having played in the Champions League for the Magpies during a brief spell on Tyneside in the late 1990s.

Since then, following his retirement in 2002, varying degrees of management roles took him from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City before his country came calling in 2007.

The former left-back took charge of England’s Under-21s for six years, and also worked with the full national squad before being cast aside by the Football Association this summer.

Currently without a job, the 51-year-old recently told Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail that he’s eager to get back into football, and few would bet against him doing just that in the near future.

Sky Bet odds to be next permanent Newcastle United manager: 14/1

Lee Clark

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It’s now over four years since Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle suggested his manager Lee Clark was destined to become Newcastle United boss one day. 

In an interview with Rob Stewart in The Telegraph, Hoyle tipped the 40-year-old to return to his hometown club at some point during his career and called the job Clark’s “Holy Grail”. 

Currently in charge at Birmingham City in the Championship, the Geordie spent 10 years with the Magpies as a player and made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old during the 1990-91 campaign.

And should the St. James’ Park hot seat become available in the near future, expect the Wallsend lad’s name to be near the top of the likely replacements list.

Sky Bet odds to be next permanent Newcastle United manager: 12/1

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