A new and altogether surprising front-runner has emerged in the Newcastle United managerial sweepstakes on Sunday night.

Bruce on the brink

The subject of the bench at St. James’ Park has of course taken centre stage in the headlines over the last 72 hours.

This comes on the back of the long-speculated takeover of Newcastle finally being pushed over the line on Thursday evening.

After a lengthy dispute over broadcasting rights was settled in the country, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, backed by a jaw-dropping £320 billion fortune, agreed to purchase long-time Magpies owner Mike Ashley’s majority stake in the club:

🤝 An investment group led by the Public Investment Fund, and also comprising PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media, has completed the acquisition of 100% of Newcastle United Limited and Newcastle United Football Club Limited from St. James Holdings Limited.

⚫️⚪️

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 7, 2021

The vast majority of those associated with Newcastle, in turn, have since made their excitement clear regarding the prospect of things to come.

For one high-profile individual on Tyneside, however, news of the changing of hands at the club has marked something of a blow.

The man in question? Steve Bruce.

On the back of widespread speculation that his position was under immediate threat following Ashley’s departure, word was forthcoming earlier today that Bruce is now ‘on the brink’ of being relieved of his spot on the bench at St. James’.

Favre in pole

Rumours, as a result, have since begun to fly regarding just who will be chosen by Yasir Al-Rumayyan and co. as the man to replace Bruce, and oversee a potentially prosperous new era in the North East of England.

A whole host of tacticians have been named as candidates, including the likes of Antonio Conte, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

But, as outlined above, on Sunday night, a new favourite has emerged for the Magpies post.

Following a flurry of bets altogether out of the blue, veteran tactician Lucien Favre has seen his odds to take up the reins at Newcastle slashed to just 4/1.

The Swiss tactician has been out of work since late in 2020, when a two-and-a-half year spell with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund was brought to an end.

📈 There’s been a big mover in the next Newcastle manager market.

Former Dortmund boss Lucien Favre is the 4/1 favourite, in from 14/1.

Is he the right man for #NUFC? pic.twitter.com/1EbaS2mz8o

— Betfair (@Betfair) October 10, 2021

🔳 Lucien Favre is the NEW FAVOURITE to be #NUFC‘s next manager.

📉 The 63-year-old has hardly been in the betting – but he was heavily backed in to market leader on Sunday night.

📜 His last post came at Dortmund – where he departed in Dec 2020 with a win rate of nearly 62%.

— Sporting Life Football & Infogol (@InfogolApp) October 10, 2021

 

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