Steve Bruce was under pressure at Newcastle before the ink dried on his contract, and an underwhelming start to the season, compounded by the trouncing at Leicester has seen that increase.
It never seemed to be a match made in heaven, and despite Bruce’s protestations that it would be difficult for any manager to follow Rafa Benitez, the results suggest more that he is simply not up to the job.
Yes, Benitez is a huge act to follow, but the standard of performances, tactical naivety, and team selections under the first seven games of the current head coach, is nothing to do with Rafa, and everything to do with Bruce’s ineptitude.
He has failed on every level to date – bar one result at Spurs – and already thoughts are turning to who could replace him.
We have listed five candidates we think could be potential replacements.
Michael O’Neill
The current Northern Ireland manager, and former Newcastle player will have been in his role for eight years in December, and has done extremely well during that time.
Having managed club sides in Ireland and lower tiers of the Scottish League, it would be difficult for O’Neill to say no to an opportunity to take charge of a club like Newcastle.
He would surely be ready to prove himself as a top level manager, and after such a long time in charge of the National side, it could be the perfect time for a new challenge.
Mikel Arteta
Newcastle allegedly made a move for the Spaniard in the summer, with him ultimately electing to stay as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
But if Newcastle make another concerted effort, and offer him a deal that is simply too good to turn down, they could yet lure him to Tyneside.
An expensive option, but if they let him know the stature he could be elevated to on Tyneside if he comes in and ‘does a Keegan’ by first saving an ailing club, then transforming it, he might be up for the challenge.
Chris Wilder
The Sheffield native has worked miracles in his three years at Bramall Lane, and transformed them from League One obscurity, into a Premier League side.
The Blades have made a fantastic start to the season, which should let Mike Ashley see how well he can perform without an astronomical budget.
He may be Sheffield born and bred, but the lure of a club the size of Newcastle would be difficult for the 52-year-old to turn down.
Roberto Martinez
The Spaniard has been in charge of the Belgium national side for three years, and his spell has seen him establish them as FIFA’s number one ranked nation.
He knows what the Premier League is all about, and having been in charge at Swansea and Everton, he is used to the rigours of what it takes in the world’s top league.
With a preference for possession football, he would bring a contrast in style from the current defensive, counter-attacking one fans have become accustomed to.
He could tick the boxes for Ashley and Lee Charnley.
Sean Dyche
Dyche will have been in charge of Burnley for seven years at the end of this month, and it is hard to see how much further he can take the Lancashire side.
Charnley is thought to be a fan of his, and with his only other management experience other than Burnley, being at Watford, he may thrive on the challenge a club like Newcastle would pose.
He has also kept Burnley in the Premier League, and seen them thrive in the top half at times – even qualifying for the Europa League – all against the odds, which would make him an ideal candidate to save Newcastle from the drop.
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