Former Newcastle United and Sunderland managers ‘considered’ for Premier League role

Newcastle United’s Premier League rivals Leicester City are reportedly considering the appointment of an experienced interim manager following their decision to part company with Brendan Rodgers.

The former Liverpool manager saw his four-year reign at the King Power Stadium brought to a close on Sunday after after his side fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace that left them second-from-bottom in the Premier League table as a difficult season rapidly approaches its climax.

The likes of Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick have both been linked with the vacancy - but The Independent have now reported former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is one of two names under consideration to take charge on an interim basis between now and the end of the season. The move would give the Spaniard a chance to end his 15-month absence from the dugout after he was sacked by Everton in December 2022.

Benitez spoke about a potential return to management in an interview with Sky Sports in February, saying: “You need a project. I was lucky enough to manage a lot of teams and because I did that and won some trophies, I can say now ‘I don’t like this project, but I like this one’.

“I am fine and happy in England, in terms of the Premier League my family and everything. Sometimes you make decisions that are a risk but the reality is the Premier League is the best league in the world and I want to be around. You need a project that with all the experience that I and my staff have, we can use our experience to build something but the problem is the project can only be three weeks before there is pressure. So we need some time and the right project.”

Former Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill - who managed the Foxes between 1995 and 2000 - is also said to be under consideration to take charge until the summer when a permanent appointment will be made.