INTERNATIONAL: The new Saudi owners of English Premier League club Newcastle are wasting no time in making their presence felt. They’ve already started looking for a new manager to replace Steve Bruce, even though he hasn’t actually confirmed whether he’s staying or going.

Former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, former Dortmund boss Lucien Favre and former Inter coach Antonio Conte, have emerged as three of the favourites to replace Steve Bruce. Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, on a successful spell in charge of the Glasgow club, is another name linked to Tyneside. Leicester City manager Brendon Rodgers and Belgium national team manager, Roberto Martinez, are other names being tossed onto the field.

British businesswoman, Amanda Staveley, who’s part of the Saudi-led consortium which now owns Newcastle, recently refused to say whether or not Bruce's job was secure. Newcastle are still winless from seven games this season and are languishing in the relegation zone.

^{PHOTO: SHOWS: FILE FOOTAGE OF CANDIDATES BELIEVED TO BE IN CONTENTION FOR THE NEWCASTLE UNITED MANAGER JOB FOLLOWING THE CLUB'S TAKEOVER BY WEALTHY SAUDI-LED OWNERS}