Bruce's potential replacement is the talk of the Toon

Newcastle’s wealthy new owners are widely expected to replace Steve Bruce as manager.

The 60-year-old is thought to be on borrowed time at St James’ Park and rumours are swirling about who may replace him.

We take a look at five names already linked with the hot-seat on Tyneside.

Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte is arguably the best manager in the world who is currently without a job.

Now they have some of the richest owners in football, Newcastle fans believe that the Italian is the sort of boss they can lure to the club.

And they may well do in time, there just seems next to no chance that he would take the job now.

Conte will be near the top of the list for clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and others if the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mauricio Pochettino do not bring trophies.

While the Toon Army’s main aim remains just to stay in the league, they will have to aim a little lower.

Frank Lampard

Out of work since leaving Chelsea in January, Frank Lampard would likely jump at the chance to take on the Newcastle project.

But whether or not he is the right man to take over from Bruce is another question.

The Magpies look set to be embroiled in a relegation battle this campaign and Lampard’s limited managerial experience may set him back.

He did guide a young Derby side to the play-off final but despite some good results at Chelsea, it looked a job too big for him.

If Newcastle were looking to appoint someone ahead of a transfer window and new season, Lampard would make more sense. As it stands, the 43-year-old represents a gamble.

Steven Gerrard

Eventually, Steven Gerrard is going to manage in the Premier League.

And with Jurgen Klopp unlikely to leave Liverpool any time soon, a club the size of Newcastle with the potential they have looks a good bet.

Unlike his former international team-mate, Gerrard has enjoyed success in his short career as Rangers boss after winning the Scottish Premiership last season.

He has shown himself capable of dealing with intense pressure from the fanbase alongside the day-to-day running of a football club.

A relegation battle is not something the Reds legend has dealt with as a player or manager, though nothing suggests he would not cope. 

Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe needs to return to management at some stage or he risks becoming the forgotten man.

Not since leaving Bournemouth in July 2020 has the 43-year-old held a role in football.

He is the same age as Lampard but has a huge amount of experience and successfully kept the Cherries in the top flight for five seasons.

Howe has been waiting for the right opportunity and the chance to build a side at a club the size of Newcastle would undoubtedly entice him.

It just depends whether the new owners want a glamourous name, or one who is better suited to their current needs.

Rafael Benitez

Loved by the fans on Tyneside, Rafael Benitez would be a hugely popular appointment at St James' Park.

He guided Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and kept them there until he left in 2019.

But the experienced Spaniard only took over Everton in the summer and has enjoyed a fine start to life at Goodison Park.

If the takeover had happened six months earlier, Benitez would have jumped at the chance to guide Newcastle under new ownership.

That ship has now sailed though.