As if every Geordie had wished it for Christmas, Alan Pardew’s controversial reign as Newcastle manager came to an end last week, with the 53 year-old accepting the role of Neil Warnock’s replacement at Crystal Palace.
Music to ears for a large segment of the Toon army then, but the Magpies are now faced with the not-so-small issue of finding a successor to the much-maligned Eagles gaffer.
As expected with a Mike Ashley appointment, the list of candidates ranges sparsely in its blend of obscurity, controversy and comedy value. But it appears the options have been whittled down to the more sizable number of five, so with that in mind, here’s a list of the men currently leading the race.
JOHN CARVER
John Carver may have felt ‘deeply embarrassed’ by supporters’ reactions to Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester City in the FA Cup’s third round, with fans reportedly chanting ‘We’re s**t and we’re sick of it’ as he commanded the dugout in his second fixture as Magpies caretaker boss, but one should never rule out the powers of incumbency.
Not only will the 49 year-old be luxury to further opportunities to impress Mike Ashley whilst the Toon owner mulls over the other candidates, but he also offers unique continuity, having served as Alan Pardew’s second-in-command since 2011 – in addition to a prior five-year stretch as Magpies assistant from 1999-2004.
Despite his synonymy with the Tyneside club, Carver’s unlikely to be a popular appointment with the fanbase, having infamously clashed with anti-Pardew protestors ahead of a 4-0 defeat to Southampton in September.
REMI GARDE
With Newcastle’s transfer policy becoming increasingly Ligue 1-centric throughout Mike Ashley’s ownership, there’s certainly some logic behind the suggestion of a French replacement for Alan Pardew. According to Mirror Football, the Magpies are already considering former France international Remi Garde.
The 48 year-old won a Premier League title with Arsenal (who else!) during his playing days and until last summer was the head coach at Lyon, leading them to a Coupe de France in 2012. He recorded a 51% win rate with Les Gones and, rather refreshingly amid the modern vogue of hire and fire, left Stade de Gerland on his own terms, citing personal reasons upon the expiration of his three-term contract.
It’s believed the former defender wanted to take a break away from the beautiful game, but he’ll unlikely refuse the opportunity to manage in the Premier League. Furthermore, the appointment of Garde could bring Newcastle closer to the signature of well-known transfer target and current Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette.
DICK ADVOCAAT
Another name in the hat, according to Mirror Football, is former Rangers and Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat, who boasts the most well-rounded CV on this list by quite some way.
Some of the 67 year-old’s prior posts include PSV, Borussia Monchengladbach and Zenit, where he won the Russian Premier League in 2007 and the UEFA Cup in 2008, in addition to the UAE, South Korean, Belgian, Russian, Serbian and Netherlands (twice) national teams.
Of course, it’s worth reminding that despite Advocaat’s experience and credentials, boasting 15 trophies in total, in addition to becoming the first foreign honorary citizen of St. Petersburg since 1866, the majority of his tenures have lasted less than a year – albeit, usually with win rates around the 50% mark.
That being said, he’s widely respected throughout the footballing world and will offer an eclectic knowledge of cheap, young players from abroad. SkyBet place him at 12/1.
PAUL CLEMENT
Having excelled as Carlo Ancelotti’s right-hand man at Chelsea, PSG and now Real Madrid, Paul Clement’s quickly-enhancing reputation as one of the most talented No.2s in the business has grabbed Mike Ashley’s attention, according to Mirror Football.
A real footballing man from one of England’s footballing families, the 42 year-old is the son of former England international Dave Clement and brother of ex-West Brom defender Neil Clement, and has been earning his stripes as a coach for nearly twenty years.
After consistent success with three major clubs at the pinnacle of European football – in addition to almost defying the odds to keep Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League as Steve Kean’s deputy – it’s surely now a case of when, rather than if, Clement is given the opportunity to impress as a No.1.
He’s been fairly vocal of such ambitions in the past, but whether the Magpies are prepared to take that punt remains to be seen.
TIM SHERWOOD
The Gillet-throwing gaffer extraordinaire that just won’t go away, since his departure from Tottenham in the summer, Tim Sherwood has been linked with virtually every Premier League vacancy going.
He doesn’t offer too much in the way of experience, having overseen the Lilywhites’ first team for just six months between the tenures of Andre Villas-Boas and Mauricio Pochettino, but the 45 year-old left the Lane with a 50% win rate – rather impressively, a return higher than any Daniel Levy-appointed predecessor.
Furthermore, Sherwood’s say-it-like-it-is approach to press conferences, like a cockney Jeremy Paxman, quickly caught the attention of Premier League fans up and down the country. Unlike the rest of the mooted appointments on this list, the former England midfielder’s passionate honesty might just prevent the Magpies fanbase from perceiving him as a Mike Ashley puppet.
Then again, his emotive tone doesn’t sit well with all – and one can already envisage a resurgence of the ‘cockney mafia’ protests on Tyneside.