Report: Newcastle’s soon-to-be owners want Zinedine Zidane as manager

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Spanish outlet Defensa Central have claimed that Newcastle United’s soon-to-be Saudi owners are ready to launch an anormously ambitious move to lure Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane to Tyneside this summer.

An issue over piracy is said to have held up a takeover of Newcastle, with the Premier League still yet to announce they have finished their checks. But it is believed the move is still edging closer to completion.

Such a move will see Steve Bruce’s tenure come into question. The Geordie has taken Newcastle to a comfortable 13th place and although many feel he deserves a chance to stay on, The Toon have been linked with many high-profile managers.

The report says Newcastle will double Zidane’s salary in order to convince him to move to Tyneside – with his current wage worth £190,000 a week, as per the Mirror. The chances of a move are obviously unlikely, even if he is offered £380,000 a week

That is because the report itself states Zidane, 47, will remain at Madrid. But also because the Frenchman has more than two years left on his contract and is already a Madrid legend following his time at the club as a player.

TBR’s view – Move for Zidane would prevent Bale transfer

Newcastle have been strongly linked with a move for Gareth Bale in the upcoming summer window of a takeover is completed in time, but appointing Zidane would diminish any chance of a move for the Welsh attacker.

That is because Zidane and Bale do not get on. Zidane has afforded the ex-Spurs and Southampton man just 18 appearances this season. They struggled to strike a chord in Zidane’s first spell, and that has followed on since.

Zidane on Tyneside, however unlikely that it is, will prevent a move for Bale.