Every manager linked with the Newcastle job following takeover

Poor Steve Bruce.

He's basically just seen his lottery numbers all come up, but then remembered he gave this week's ticket to his least favourite family member as a last-minute birthday present.

Newcastle United are billions and billions of pounds richer today than they were at the start of October, and while that is great news for the Magpies and lovers of the transfer market, it spells trouble for their current coach.

Now that Mike Ashley has sailed away from Tyneside with £300m in his pocket, Bruce is officially the most unpopular man up north. His days as Newcastle manager felt numbered before the Saudi takeover, but now that the club has an endless pot of money and equal ambition, he is surely a goner.

But who will replace him remains a mystery. A whole bunch of names have been banded around for the managerial role, and supporters are already giddy at the thought of the sport's biggest names rocking up to St James' Park.

Here's everybody who have been linked with the Newcastle job (so far)...

1. Lucien Favre

63-year-old Favre is among the latest names in the frame and is a free agent, having left Dortmund in 2020.

Having experienced success in his home country, the veteran Swiss made a name for himself at Gladbach where his exciting attacking football and penchant for youth helped develop talents like Marco Reus.

He also achieved an impressive third-place finish for Nice in 2017, but wasn't able to avoid the sack at Dortmund after a run of poor results last season.

2. Brendan Rodgers

A regular in the frame for any big-ish job going, Rodgers is another possible for Newcastle - having built a reputation as arguably the UK's best working manager.

The Northern Irishman has experience at hugely well supported clubs with vocal fans, and has achieved silverware at Celtic and Leicester.

The Foxes were outsiders for a title push at the start of the season but have struggled so far in 2021/22. Could Brendan be ready for a new challenge?

3. Antonio Conte

Let's start with the biggest fish in the pond. Antonio Conte is hot property off the back of his title success with Inter - too hot for Tottenham Hotspur even, who pulled out of talks with the Italian over the summer.

He's a proven winner who's enjoyed success everywhere he's been, and he loves spending (and earning) money - something Newcastle won't be short of for the foreseeable future.

It's ambitious, but Newcastle are here to disrupt the natural order.

4. Paulo Fonseca

No, this is not Spurs' managerial target list, I promise.

But apparently the Magpies are singing from the same hymn sheet, as another north London near miss Paulo Fonseca is in the conversation.

He loves fast attacking football, but it doesn't always guarantee results - as AS Roma found out in his final season in the Italian capital. Newcastle could break a new 'goals conceded' record with Fonseca at the helm and their current defensive options.

5. Mauricio Pochettino

While we're on the topic of Spurs, why not cram in their ex-manager and fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino? The Argentine is now leading the Paris Saint-Germain all-stars, but it's not going entirely to plan.

Failure in Ligue 1 and Europe last year has left him under pressure, and while the league title should be a straight forward victory this time round, any issues in the Champions League could see him depart.

Not a bad man to kick off the new era with, is he?

6. Steven Gerrard

Now this one feels realistic, exciting and a great opportunity for both parties. Steven Gerrard is working wonders with Rangers, having ended Celtic's monopoly of the Scottish Premiership title.

But it's no secret that he would like to return to coach in England one day, and while that would preferably be at boyhood club Liverpool, he may need one more stepping stone before sealing that move.

Help Newcastle through this early transitional period, and that job at Anfield could be his.

7. Frank Lampard

We can't talk about Gerrard without mentioning links to Frank Lampard. The fellow England star enjoyed a fairytale first season with Chelsea, but he was sacked by the Blues midway through his second campaign.

He still has plenty to prove, and while his stock remains strangely high, this could be a nice fit for him to demonstrate his capabilities. Maybe Lampard and Gerrard could couple up and finally work well together!

One sits in the dugout while the other goes in the technical area and all that...

8. Eddie Howe

Another manager waiting for the right moment to step back into the game is Eddie Howe. The Englishman did a good job keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League for so many years - until he didn't.

But he's still highly thought of, and would love the chance to work at a bigger club with a huge budget. Mind you, he did waste a lot of money on the south coast.

9. Rafa Benitez

C'mon, none of this makes sense right now! Liverpool legend at bitter rivals Everton, while Newcastle are looking for a new manager, with new owners, bigger ambition and an even larger transfer kitty?

It's got a Rafa return written all over it! The Spaniard is beloved up north, and after a spell in China and now at Goodison Park, it all just looks and feels a bit wrong.

Bring him home, guys - follow the speculation!

10. Chris Wilder

If you looked at the first three quarters of Sheffield United's debut season in the Premier League, you'd assume Chris Wilder was the Yorkshire Pep Guardiola.

Ultimately, it all went pear-shaped for the Blades, who were relegated without a fight in their second campaign at the highest level. Wilder didn't survive the season, but he boasted ideas that cut the mustard in the top flight.

11. Graham Potter

We've moved Graham Potter a bit further down just to avoid the obvious Spurs theme, but the Brighton coach is being linked with a move away from the south coast again.

He's turned the Seagulls into a fully functioning, exciting, attacking Premier League side, and has done so through good coaching on a relatively small budget. With pedigree like that, no wonder Spurs ignored him...

12. Graeme Jones

So many names have been linked (as you've just seen) but one man in the running already works for the club as coach.

Enter, Graeme Jones - whose importance on the touchline is rumoured to have caused some friction with his boss. He's worked with England's elite, is recognised as a developer of talent and knows the current crop of players - which will still be the foundation of the squad irrespective of a bit of January spending.

He's expected to take charge for the clash against Tottenham after Bruce's sacking. Don't rule out the chance of him staying on longer.