Rewind to 2019 and Mike Ashley faced the difficult task of finding a successor to Rafael Benitez.
In the summer of 2019, Newcastle fans were hit with the unwanted news of Rafa Benitez’s departure.
The beloved Spaniard had spent three years on Tyneside and earned the respect of supporters after staying and earning promotion from the Championship in 2017.
Rafael Benitez led Newcastle to a 10th-placed finish in 2017/18 and a 13th-placed finish the season after before he left at the end of his contract.
Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley criticised Benitez after his exit, claiming his financial demands made it impossible for him to stay at St James’ Park.
Sergio Conceicao of FC Porto during the match between Sporting CP and FC Porto for the Portuguese Cup Final at Estadio Nacional do Jamor on May 26,...
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Sergio Conceicao linked to Newcastle job in 2019
Conversation at Newcastle quickly turned to who could replace Benitez as manager and one of the names on the list was Porto manager Sergio Conceicao.
Newcastle had been linked to Conceicao but he had a release clause of up to £18m attached to his contract in Portugal.
As a result, penny-pinching Ashley of course looked elsewhere and snubbed a move for Conceicao.
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Since then, Conceicao has won eight major trophies at Porto and has been linked to several Premier League jobs, including West Ham and Everton.
Conceicao has been hailed as a “prestige” manager ahead of a potential move to England.
Who did Newcastle get to replace Benitez? Steve Bruce. Who spent two years at St James’ Park before being sacked and replaced with Eddie Howe.
Sergio Conceicao could now replace Gary O’Neil at Wolves
On Sunday morning, Wolves sacked Gary O’Neil just hours after their 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, making him the third Premier League boss to be fired this season.
Speculation has already begun around who could replace O’Neil at Molineux, and Conceicao’s name is firmly in the mix.
According to TeamTalk, Wolves are considering Conceicao as their next manager.
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It is said that the Premier League appeals to the 50-year-old Portuguese coach, but his preference is to join West Ham.
Newcastle fans may finally see Conceicao at St James’ Park five years after he was linked to the club, but he won’t be in the home dugout.
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