Newcastle United have been without a permanent head coach ever since Alan Pardew left for Crystal Palace at the turn of the year - and they are still no closer to naming his long-term successor. John Carver, Pardew's assistant, was first placed in caretaker charge before being named interim head coach for the second-half of the Premier League season - and the Geordie oversaw a disastrous spell as the Magpies plummeted down the table and only avoided relegation on the final day of the season. Despite this, Carver still maintains that he desperately wants the job on a permanent basis, even declaring (in a tongue-in-cheek manner) that he believes he is the "best coach in the Premier League". With Real Madrid assistant boss Paul Clement looking likely to be named new Derby County manager, former Rams boss Steve McClaren has once again been linked to the Magpies job. Yet he is one of a whole host of other figures would could feasibly be in the dugout come the start of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign. So here are 12 leading candidates for the permanent head coach's role at Newcastle United - with one of these contenders likely to be appointed to the St James' Park hotseat within the next few weeks.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
