Journalist Craig Hope has dropped a fresh Newcastle managerial update regarding Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.
What’s the talk?
According to the Daily Mail reporter, the Magpies are looking at the Spaniard as a potential option, with talks set to take place with candidates throughout the coming week.
On Martinez, Hope tweeted: “Understand Belgium boss is on shortlist & would cost less than £2m in compo.”
Would you be happy with Martinez?
Yes
No
Frustration for Newcastle fans
Newcastle fans may well be left frustrated by this latest update from Hope as Martinez would be an uninspiring appointment when considering some of the other names linked with the vacancy. The likes of Erik ten Hag and Antonio Conte have been touted with the role and supporters could be gutted if it ends up being the Belgium head coach instead.
In nearly 15 years as a manager, his FA Cup success with Wigan remains the only trophy he has won in his coaching career. He has had 66 games in charge of Belgium and is yet to win an international tournament, whilst he was also unable to lift silverware in a three-year spell with Everton.
Martinez led to the Toffees to two bottom-half finishes in the Premier League in his three seasons, having finished between 15th and 18th in all four of his campaigns in charge of Wigan, leading them to relegation and an FA Cup victory in his final year at the club. This suggests that he does not have the talent required to lead the Magpies into the top half of the table.
Ten Hag, on the other hand, has won five trophies in nine years as a manager at senior level. He has earned 2.34 points per game in 181 matches in charge of Ajax, winning two league titles along the way. Conte has also enjoyed success throughout his career, winning nine trophies in 15 years as a manager, including a Premier League title with Chelsea and four Serie A crowns.
This suggests that they would both be better appointments for Newcastle than Martinez if PIF want a head coach who can lead them to glory in the coming years. Supporters would surely love to see the club win a trophy after many barren decades and that is why they could be frustrated to hear that the former Everton boss is on the shortlist to replace Steve Bruce.
AND in other news, Jones must unleash £15.75m-rated Newcastle beast against Chelsea, he’s a “manager’s dream”…