Next Newcastle manager: Odds slashed on Allegri appointment but Benitez still favourite

Newcastle may soon be operating under new ownership and that could well bring about a change in management – so we’ve slashed the odds on Max Allegri taking over at St James’ Park.

The Magpies have endured years of strife with Mike Ashley at the helm but that could all be set to change as speculation about the club’s takeover intensifies.

Newcastle are expected to receive a huge injection of spending power with the imminent arrival of a Saudi Arabia wealth fund, and punters have already backed the incoming owners to make a statement appointment in the dugout.

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Juventus boss Allegri is the man being singled out by fans to replace Steve Bruce, so we’ve cut the odds on the Italian joining to 6/1.

The new Newcastle owners no doubt want to get the max from their investment – and it seems they want to get Max, too.

Allegri would be something of a coup and will prompt the opposite reaction to what greeted the hiring of Bruce last summer.

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The shift in the market puts the 52-year-old, who boasts six Serie A titles and two Champions League final appearances on his managerial CV, second-favourite for the job.

Allegri was 40/1 outsider but now trails only Rafael Benitez in the running, with the Spaniard still leading the way at 3/1.

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A return for the popular Benitez would be an easy PR win for Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, to help distract from any troublesome criticism or questions.

And even if it’s not Benitez who eventually gets the nod, we don’t expect Bruce to continue under a new regime.

The 59-year-old is now odds-on (4/11) to not be in charge for the Toon Army’s first game of next season.

Steven Gerrard is also in the hunt to take over at 12/1 while Sean Dyche, Roberto Martinez and former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino are all at 14/1.

We expect Newcastle to go big in the summer transfer market, with the Magpies 3/1 to spend more than £100million on any player before 31st January 2021.

They are 4/1 to finish in the top six and 15/2 to win the Premier League in the next five seasons.

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