NEWCASTLE UNITED should go all out to hire Mauricio Pochettino in order to attract star names like Gareth Bale, according to Dimitar Berbatov.
The Magpies are currently closing in on a £300million takeover from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Mauricio Pochettino could be targeted by Newcastle’s new ownersCredit: PA:Press Association
Berbatov believes that Pochettino could attract ‘big’ players… like BaleCredit: Reuters
If and when the deal goes through, the Toon will essentially be bankrolled by the Saudi state, who are worth an eyewatering £320billion.
And Berbatov, a former Tottenham team-mate of Bale, believes that appointing Pochettino would be the perfect start.
He told Betfair: “If the rumours are true, and Newcastle are looking at appointing Mauricio Pochettino, it would be a great move for the team.
“If he goes there then it will be the first sign from the new owners, to the players they are targeting, that the club means business.
“If you put Pochettino in charge at Newcastle and you go and speak to players, trust me they will pay more attention and take the offer seriously, and I’m talking about big players as well.
“I know Gareth Bale is among those who have been linked with the club. I’m sure Newcastle will want to rebuild with some top names.”
And the Bulgarian, 39, believes that the only way to lure Pochettino is to promise him the funds to sign “top players”.
He continued: “If the rumours are true, the first thing Pochettino is going to want is a guarantee that they will buy players because he would like to have as many good players as possible at his disposal so that he can achieve the club’s goals.
“He has already made his name as one of the best coaches in the world. The question is, does Pochettino actually want to go to Newcastle?
“When you are connected to names like Real Madrid and Manchester United – and I mean no disrespect to Newcastle – there is a bit of a difference there.
“The biggest factor that would persuade Pochettino to go to St James’ Park would be having the funds to buy players.”
Bale, 30, is set to be deemed surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu once again in the summer.
Boss Zinedine Zidane was desperate to flog the Welsh star in 2019, but a £1million-a-week move to Jiangsu Suning fell through late in the day.
Berbatov played alongside Gareth Bale at SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
While Bale was subsequently re-integrated into the first-team in Madrid, the injury-prone superstar has struggled to make much of an impact – scoring just three goals and assisting a further two in 18 appearances this term.
Meanwhile, current Newcastle manager Steve Bruce fears he is a dead man walking.
The 59-year-old had guided his boyhood club to 13th in the Premier League prior to football’s suspension, but Newcastle’s incoming owners will be desperate for a more glamorous manager capable of delivering attractive, winning football.
Gareth Bale shows his footie skills with a golf ball as he stays in to avoid coronavirus
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
