Newcastle-leaning pundit names the coach who ‘ticks all the boxes’ and is ‘ready-made’ for SJP

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With Newcastle United on the verge of new ownership, Magpies cult hero Warren Barton has told talkSPORT that he sees Mauricio Pochettino as “ready-made” for St James’ Park.

Newcastle are in the final stages of a takeover bid, with the club now very close to being bought off Mike Ashley, as reported by talkSPORT last Wednesday.

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.

Ashley and PCP have entered into a binding agreement, with terms agreed and a deposit paid, and documentation has been sent to the Premier League.

Newcastle’s prospective new owners are expected to have major ambitions upon arriving at St. James’ Park and, though Barton respects Steve Bruce, he feels the former Tottenham Hotspur head coach would take things to the next level on Tyneside.

“With all due respect to Steve, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he’s not one of the top-level coaches around the world,” Fox Sports pundit Barton told talkSPORT2.

“He’s always done reasonably well in the Premier League and Championship, but if you want someone to take you to that next level, I think Pochettino would tick all the boxes.

“He’s ambitious, he’s great with young players, he understands the Premier League… and I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder now to come back and prove people wrong.

“I think he is ready-made for the club, and his hunger to be successful will go right the way through the club and the fans.”

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After years of mediocrity under Ashley and numerous reported takeover attempts that came to nothing, it appears as though there’s finally a breakthrough with regards to a change of ownership at Newcastle.

While Bruce has done well this season, not all Newcastle fans have warmed to him and, with the prospect of a bigger budget on the horizon, there is a feeling that the Magpies will be able to bring in a different calibre of player and coach at SJP.

Pochettino has thoroughly impressed at every club he’s been at, transforming Tottenham Hotspur into Premier League top-four challengers and Champions League finalists, and given he’s currently a free agent, he is a realistic candidate were Newcastle’s budget to skyrocket.