Revealed: Newcastle set sights on World Beater in stage 1 of overhaul | OneFootball

The prospective Newcastle United new owners have set their sights on a “world beater” manager who can bring the glory days to the success-starved club, Football Insider understands.

Manager Steve Bruce could become the first victim of the £300million takeover by a Saudi Arabia-led consortium that is expected to be finalised in around three weeks.

A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that the first stage of a £200m overhaul is set to be the replacement of Bruce with a big name capable of enticing top stars this summer as well as overseeing the team’s climb up the Premier League.

Rafael Benitez has been linked with a sensational return to Tyneside and he is expected to be one of the contenders for what could be one of world football’s most attractive posts this summer.

But the new owners do not intend to limit themselves to moving for the Spaniard, who quit last summer to take over at Chinese club Dalian Yifang.

The plan is to hire an elite-level manager who can challenge for a Champions League place and inspire a dramatic improvement.

During the 13-year Mike Ashley era, Newcastle’s ambition has been limited mainly to Premier League survival and making a profit.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), who will acquire an 80 per cent stake, with Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners taking 10 per cent and the Reuben brothers the other 10 per cent, are said to be setting their sights far higher.

They are planning a huge investment in new signings and upgrades of the training ground and academy.

Financial fair play guidelines mean the kind of overnight refurbishment seen at Man City more than a decade ago are unlikely.

But cash will be instantly made available to recruit some top-line operators, starting with stage 1 of the new era and finding a new the man for the dugout.

In other Newcastle United news, details of the stunning overhaul have been revealed in the 350-page dossier sent to the Premier League.