THE odds on Massimiliano Allegri becoming Newcastle’s next manager have been slashed dramatically by bookies as the club’s £350million takeover nears completion.
The Italian, 47, has been out of work since leaving Juventus at the end of the 2018-19 season.
The odds on Allegri becoming Newcastle boss have been slashed since news of the club’s potential takeover
Despite being linked with Manchester United earlier in the season, Allegri could now take on the top job at St James’ Park.
The move would just be phase one of the North-East giants’ desperate scheme to get back to the top of English football.
Allegri – who won five Serie A titles in his five seasons at Juventus – is now second-favourite at 6/1 with Paddy Power to take the role.
Rafa Benitez, who controversially left the Toon last summer after a fall-out with Mike Ashley and Co, is runaway favourite at 3/1.
Steven Gerrard (12/1), Sean Dyche, Roberto Martinez and Mauricio Pochettino (all 14/1) and Eddie Howe (16/1) are the others in contention.
But at 4/11 it looks most likely Steve Bruce will NOT be in charge for Newcastle’s first game of the 2020-21 season – whenever it starts.
A spokesperson at Paddy Power said: “The new Newcastle owners no doubt want to get the max from their new investment – and it seems they want to get Max, too.
“Allegri would be something of a coup and will prompt an opposite reaction to what greeted the hiring of Steve Bruce last summer.”
Newcastle takeover specials (Paddy Power)
4/11 – Bruce not to be in charge for the first game of the 2020-21 season
3/1 – Newcastle to spend more than £100m on any player before January 31, 2021
4/1 – Newcastle to finish in the top six next season
15/2 – Newcastle to win the Premier League in the next five seasons
Ashley is on the verge of selling Newcastle for a knockdown £300m to a group led by Amanda Staveley.
Sources claim Ashley has reduced his £340m asking price and official paperwork shows a deal is close with a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium which involves Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
A key document indicates Ashley is so keen to complete a sale he is ready to lend money to Staveley, the financier fronting the takeover, so she can fund her ten per cent share.
It is understood the Premier League is in the process of conducting the owners and directors test on the Staveley-led group — the final hurdle before the transaction could proceed.
Mike Ashley agrees knockdown £300m deal with Saudi consortium to finally sell Newcastle
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
