Four managers set to reject Newcastle as new owners struggle over appointment

Newcastle United have already been turned down by some of their big managerial targets.

It comes after sacking Steve Bruce earlier this month, who was largely unpopular with the fans and had started the season in disastrous form.

The new Saudi Arabian owners are also keen on bringing in their own coach, all of which spelt danger for Bruce - who took charge of his 1000th game in management prior to being dismissed.

Several coaches have been linked including Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Antonio Conte, Brendan Rodgers, Jose Mourinho and Erik ten Hag.

But many have already turned down the chance to manage at St James Park, despite the new funds at their disposal.

Steve Bruce was sacked by Newcastle earlier this month

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund are chaired by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is worth nearly £320billion.

That is more than all the other Premier League's total worth combined - and fans are already excited about who could be coming in the transfer window.

However, first they will need to get the right man in to steer the ship - which has proved difficult to say the least.

So, who has already had their say?

Jose Mourinho

One of the initial favourites to take the job, many tipped The Special One to return to the Premier League just months into his new job at AS Roma.

The prospect of taking a sleeping giant to the upper echelons of footballing superiority, armed with a treasure chest of unlimited cash, seemed like the kind of project Mourinho would throw himself at.

Jose Mourinho has turned down the chance to manage Newcastle ( Image:

AS Roma via Getty Images)

But it seems the Portuguese coach, known for his stoic attitude and rough-style, has fallen in love with the Eternal capital.

When asked about the post, the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager said: "No. Absolutely not. I signed for three years and nothing can make me leave these lads."

Steven Gerrard

After winning the Scottish Premiership and going unbeaten, some reckoned Gerrard had taken Rangers as far as he could.

One day, the Liverpool legend looks destined to manage a club in the Premier League and what better team than Newcastle.

Gerrard would instantly command respect from the dressing room, entice players to come join - and his tactics are not too shabby either after winning the league with a side that had gone without for 10 years.

But the ex-England international has shut down the rumours, saying: "I don't really react, or get involved in any kind of speculation.

"For me, I am in a very big job and a very big role here that I am very much fully focused on."

Steven Gerrard is on Newcastle's shortlist to replace Steve Bruce ( Image:

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag

The chance to play some sexy football might be an alien idea to your average Geordie but with money in the bank, anything is possible.

Ten Hag's Ajax are putting out some real displays in the Eredivisie, straight out of a Pep Guardiola playbook after coaching alongside him at Bayern Munich.

It has coincided with an upturn in remarkable young talents in Holland and fans are liking what they are seeing but we can exclusively reveal that the Dutchman is not interested.

A source said: "Will it be Champions League or Championship? That is the ­question that bothers Ten Hag.

"Right now he is top of the group with Ajax in the Champions League and he can be sure of taking them into the knockout stages in 2022."

Brendan Rodgers

What Rodgers has done with Leicester in recent years has been remarkable and even has United interested in his services.

Brendan Rodgers had been tipped to sign for Newcastle

Newcastle would love him in the hotseat but the Northern Irishman has other ideas.

When asked if he would stay at the King Power Stadium, he said: "One hundred per cent. I have got a contract until 2025, I absolutely love being here.

"I'm very fortunate. I've got a great chief executive and a director of football who I have a close relationship with and a group of players that I really, really enjoy working with."