Javier Saviola compares reported Newcastle managerial target to Marcelo Bielsa

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With Newcastle United on the verge of a takeover, the Magpies have been linked with several high-profile coaches amid the prospect of St James’ Park having a huge budget going forward.

PCP Capital Partners, headed by Amanda Staveley, have brokered the £300million deal, which is being backed by the Saudi Arabian royal family’s Public Investment Fund.

The prospective new owners are expected to have major ambitions upon arriving at St. James’ Park, and Steve Bruce’s future at the club has been cast into doubt.

Indeed, with the Saudi PIF believed to control assets worth around £320billion, it’s no surprise that the rumour mill has gone into overdrive on Tyneside.

ESPN reported last week that Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri, Rafael Benitez and Lucien Favre were in the frame to replace Bruce in the Newcastle dugout.

Goal.com, meanwhile, has claimed that Flamengo head coach Jorge Jesus has been identified as a potential new boss for the Magpies.

The 65-year-old has an impressive CV, winning 20 trophies during his career including three Portuguese Primeira Liga titles, a Brazilian Serie A title and the Copa Libertadores.

Javier Saviola, formerly of Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Argentina national team, played under Jesus at Benfica between 2009 and 2012.

The now-retired forward previously made a comparison between Jesus and current Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa, one of the most esteemed coaches in world football.

“They are demanding technicians, the only thing they want from the player is to be exclusively focused on football,” Saviola is quoted by Noticias Ao Minuto as saying in 2017.

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Jesus may not be particularly well known on British shores but he is a coach of the highest calibre whose reputation in Europe and South America is sky-high and would be more than worthy of being in the dugout of a newly-wealthy Newcastle side.

To be compared to Bielsa is quite a compliment, and though he may not have the experience in English football that Benitez and Pochettino have, it wouldn’t take long before he makes a name for himself in this country too, were he to be appointed on Tyneside.