NEWCASTLE have been urged to snub Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager because “he hasn’t won anything.”
The Toon are on the verge of being purchased by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund for £300million.
Newcastle’s prospective new owners have been urged to reject Mauricio Pochettino in favour of Rafa BenitezCredit: Reuters
Should the takeover go through, Steve Bruce is not expected to be kept in the dugout with Pochettino and former manager Rafa Benitez lined up to take charge.
Yet former Magpie striker Michael Chopra believes Newcastle should forget about appointing the Argentine over the Spaniard.
He explained to the Daily Star: “I would go for Benitez over Pochettino.
“Pochettino built up Tottenham from pretty much nothing, got them to the Champions League final and on the verge of winning the Premier League.
“But the only thing going against him is he didn’t win anything – which puts me off a bit
“With Benitez, he’s got unfinished business. He did well at the club and had a great relationship with the fans. He just wanted a bit more money to try and push them into the top ten.
“Benitez has already got plans for the football club and at almost every team he’s been at he’s won trophies.”
I would go for Benitez over Pochettino. Benitez has already got plans for the football club and at almost every team he’s been at he’s won trophies
Michael Chopra
Chopra, who is now the manager of Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro, was born in Newcastle and still has a strong attachment to the local area.
He explained that Benitez, who has lifted silverware on Tyneside as well as at Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli, has a style to his game that Bruce’s current team is lacking.
Chopra added: “Newcastle are hard to manage because you have to get the fans on your side quickly – but Benitez managed to do exactly that.
“I’ve got friends who don’t enjoy it any more with Bruce trying to nick a 1-0. It’s not entertaining, it’s not football and it’s not Newcastle.”
Among the players already being linked with a move to the North East are Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho and Gareth Bale and Chopra sees no reason the lucrative signings would be out of the club’s reach.
He said: “Money talks when you want to sign players and ultimately you’re going to have to pay them more to attract them to the north east. But if you’ve got the money it’s not a problem.
“I don’t think Coutinho or Bale would turn down the opportunity. Newcastle are a big club and they could be part of this next chapter.”
Former Newcastle player Michael Chopra believes fans are tired of Steve Bruce’s style of footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Newcastle takeover will get green light with Premier League bosses set to approve £300m Saudi buyout
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
