Report: Conte first choice for Newcastle, three others on shortlist

Gazzetta Dello Sport say Antonio Conte is Newcastle’s first choice to replace Steve Bruce – but three other names are on the new owners’ shortlist.

Conte, 52, is without a club after the shock decision to leave Inter Milan – weeks after winning the Scudetto. He almost joined Spurs in the summer.

The report says Newcastle’s new owners will be ambitious – and spend big. They are expected to pay the £8m compensation to remove Bruce.

Premier League winner Conte, who sparkled in the Chelsea dugout with his famous 3-4-3 system, is the first choice of Newcastle’s new owners.

That is according to GDS. They say Conte never backs down from a project and could be tempted – after being linked to Arsenal and Man United.

But the report also says that two other out-of-work managers are in the frame, in Eddie Howe and Frank Lampard. Rafa Benitez is another.

Conte is first choice: Newcastle need big-name manager after takeover

Ambition is big, enthusiasm is flowing. If Newcastle’s new owners are to maintain that for the rest of the season, they need a big manager.

At least, they need that until January when they can make some signings. Offloading Bruce and bringing in a Conte or a Lampard would excite.

Howe is hardly exciting compared to Conte or Lampard. A move to bring Benitez back would also be loved, but he is shining in the Everton dugout.

But the main thing is, that replacing Bruce for a big-name manager will keep the feel-good factor for some time. Conte or Lampard, are ideal.