It seems a mere matter of time before Newcastle United’s new owners sack Steve Bruce.
The 60-year-old, who has been in charge of the Magpies since 2019, is expected to be dismissed before this weekend’s Premier League clash against Tottenham.
This is according to Sky Sports, who understand that Bruce’s assistant Graeme Jones is likely to take charge of the team for the Spurs game.
Newcastle’s mega-rich owners are considering which coach to appoint as Bruce’s permanent successor as a new era begins for the football club.
Whoever takes the job right now knows they’ll be taking a big risk. Newcastle are currently 19th in the Premier League table after seven matches, having failed to pick up a single league victory this term, and signing quality players in January is never straightforward.
For the likes of Antonio Conte, Steven Gerrard and Zinedine Zidane - three names who have been linked with the job since the takeover went through last week - it’s almost certainly too big a gamble to take the job at this moment in time.
However, it could well suit an unemployed coach desperate to get back into management - and it shouldn’t come as a shock to learn that Frank Lampard is reportedly a leading contender to replace Bruce at St James’ Park.
The Sun understand that Lampard, the second-favourite to land the job behind Brendan Rodgers as things stand, could enter talks with Newcastle this week.
Frank Lampard's fine system at Chelsea
If Lampard is appointed, Newcastle’s players may need to be on their best behaviour to avoid some hefty fines.
The Premier League legend ran a tight ship at Chelsea, as you can see from the club’s remarkable fine list from the 2019-20 season.
Check the list out here:
1. Late for Match day/1st team departure - £2,500
2. Late for Report Time for Training - £2,500 (plus £2,500 for every 15 minutes thereafter)
3. Late in gym for pre activation - £1,000
4. Late for treatment - £2,500
5. Late for Team Meetings - £500-per-minute
6. Late for start of training - £20,000
7. Phone ringing during Team meal or meeting - £1000
8. Reporting in the wrong attire/kit for Team Travel and Match days - £1000
9. Not travelling back on Team coach post match, without giving 48 hours notice to the Manager or an Assistant manager - £5000
10. Refusal or not turning up for corporate/community duties - £5,000
11. Not reporting illness or injury before day off or 1 hour 30 minutes before training - £10,000
12. Late for medical appointments - £2,500
Ouch.
A £20,000 fine for being late to training is particularly brutal, but it shows the level of professionalism that Lampard demands from his players.
Chelsea’s players were forced to cough up the money within 14 days or the fines would be doubled.
All fines were at Lampard’s discretion and the money went towards team activities or charitable bodies.
There might be one or two players in the Newcastle camp praying their new owners offer the job to another coach instead!
Will Saka become world class? (8 mins Watch)
Can you name these Streets Will Never Forget ballers? [Quiz]