According to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, the Magpies are dealing with a “toxic situation” ever since popular boss Rafa Benitez left for Dalian Yifang ahead of the club’s clashes with Wolves, West Ham and back-to-back Premier League champions Manchester City in the Far East.
The Toon are dealing with three major issues at the moment as the potential takeover by Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan is going very slowly, there is no manager at the helm and there have been no incoming transfers just a month before the new Premier League season starts.
Newcastle have been linked with Rangers boss Steven Gerrard as well as Nice gaffer Patrick Vieira as there is belief that they would easily earn the respect of the players like Benitez did.
It is more likely, however, that they will sign someone who is out of work but it is still very difficult to attract a manager as there is so much uncertainty in the club due to the takeover talk.
Nevertheless, it seems like Ashley wants the new boss to be appointed before next week’s Asia Trophy.
Keith Downie told Sky Sports: “It’s a toxic situation at Newcastle.
“There are three issues at the moment: No takeover, no manager and currently no incomings with just a month to go.
“The takeover talk is making everything more difficult.
“Will a new man want to come in while that’s up in the air and they could be out of a job in two weeks, two months?
“It’s difficult for them to attract a new manager when there’s so much uncertainty.
“It’s my understanding there has been no official approach for Rangers’ Steven Gerrard but Newcastle want a man of that ilk – someone like Gerrard or Patrick Vieira, who can come in and gain the respect of the players straight away but they’re more likely to get a man who is out of work.
“They head off to China for the Asia Trophy on Friday.
“I think they’d like to have someone in charge for the tournament but time will tell.
“And through all of this, the shadow of Rafa Benitez, who was such a popular, immense figure in the city, still looms large.”