Both Newcastle United and Sunderland are monitoring the contract situation of Slavisa Jokanovic as the Serbian is yet to agree a new deal with newly-promoted Watford - and his wage demands appear to be too excessive for The Hornets. The London Evening Standard reports the North East rivals are set to pounce if the Vicarage Road club cant come to an agreement with their current boss, who led Watford to a second-placed finish in The Championship this season. The former Hércules managers deal runs out next month and, although the club remain quietly confident they can get him to sign a new contract, the delay is putting at risk their transfer dealings ahead of a season in the top flight. Needless to say, the uncertainty surrounding Jokanovic has alerted both Newcastle and Sunderland, who are still open to appointing new bosses this summer. It is widely expected that John Carver will be handed the Newcastle job on a full-time basis despite winning just two games since taking over the reins from Alan Pardew while Dick Advocaat is unsure whether hed want to manage The Black Cats past the end of the season, even though the Dutchman has kept Sunderland in the Premier League. Given the calibre of manager both clubs could realistically attract this summer, taking a punt on someone who has worked wonders just outside the Premier League could be the shrewdest of moves. Jokanovic has had a storied career in management having taken charge of five clubs in as many years including the likes of Partizan Belgrade, Levski Sofia and Thailands Muangthong United. The 46-year-old was appointed at Watford on October 7th last year, becoming the clubs fourth manager of the season after Giuseppe Sannino, scar García and Billy McKinlay. He took over a lovely situation with the club joint top after 11 games, unbeaten in five but still with a lot of work to do. He won his first game 3-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday and didnt look back, leading the club to 15 wins from their last 20 games to secure promotion. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
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.
