United eye Marcelino!

Mar 16 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE are eyeing a shock swoop for Marcelino, according to sources in Spain.

United fans should not panic – their bumbling former defender is not returning to Tyneside – but Kevin Keegan just might.

For the word in Spain is that Newcastle have sounded out third parties about the prospect of replacing King Kev with Racing Santander coach Marcelino.

A member of Newcastle’s hierarchy is said to have made contact with Marcelino’s agent with a view to making him the third Spanish manager in the Premier League.

Marcelino is rated as the best young coach in his homeland, having got minnows Recreativo de Huelva promoted and established them as top 10 club in La Liga.

And Racing are making a shock bid for Champions League qualification in this, his first season in charge at Santander.

Newcastle have been busy in Spain in recent weeks, with both new vice president Tony Jimenez and scouting guru Jeff Vetere having strong contacts there.

Their reputed interest in Marcelino comes amid speculation that Magpies owner Mike Ashley may ask Keegan – without a win in eight games in his second spell as United manager – to switch to an upstairs role at St James’s Park.

Meanwhile, Keegan last night accused the media of relishing Newcastle’s shock relegation battle.

“I know where the media come from with regards to me and with regards to this football club,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me.

“It’s an opportunity (for the Press) at the moment because Newcastle are a big club in the wrong half of the table.”