Uruguayan tops early candidates

Gus Poyet and Marcelino Garcia Toral are leading candidates to take Kevin Keegan's place in the Newcastle manager's hot-seat.

Everton boss David Moyes and former Juventus coach Didier Deschamps are also among the names being linked with the position less than 24 hours after the club confirmed that they had parted company with Keegan.

Tottenham assistant boss Poyet has emerged as the early favourite - due to his former working relationship with Magpies executive director Dennis Wise.

The former Chelsea and Spurs midfielder worked as assistant to Wise at Swindon and Leeds where he earned a reputation as a fine coach.

His ability to speak English and Spanish fluently might also be seen as an asset by the powers that be while the club continue to raid La Liga clubs for new signings.

Real Zaragoza coach Marcelino has been earmarked by Newcastle director Tony Jimenez as a possible successor to Keegan.

The 43-year-old Spaniard claimed in May that the club had made contact with his representatives, but he left Santander for another La Liga club.

Meanwhile, it is believed Alan Shearer will not want to be considered for the top job under the current circumstances and the ex-Toon number nine is believed to sympathise with Keegan.

Shearer would also have massive reservations about working at any club with a management structure where he didn't have full control of its transfer policy.