Bruno Genesio has revealed he was on the verge of becoming Newcastle manager this summer as part of a takeover of the north-east outfit. The 53-year-old was heavily linked with the managerial post at St James’ Park during the summer following Rafael Benitez’s departure, but sources close to club dismissed the rumours at the time.
It is understood the French tactician was the preferred choice of Peter Kenyon’s consortium after the group made enquiries as to how much it would cost to purchase Newcastle.
In the end, it is believed the consortium couldn’t raise the cash to match the asking price of owner Mike Ashley, despite the backing of the Dubai-based Bin Zayed Group, although rumours resurfaced last week of a fresh bid from the party.
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Despite lengthy negotiations coming to nothing in the summer, Genesio is adamant he was on the verge of taking the coaching hot-seat.
Speaking to beIN Sports France, Genesio said: “Everything went really quickly because I was meant to sign with Newcastle, but the sale then fell through. “I then decided to take some time off for myself, but towards the end of July, I received a phone call from my agents with an opportunity to go manage in China at Beijing Guoan.”
Genesio could have proven a more popular choice to take charge at Newcastle had he got the job, with Benitez’s eventual successor Steve Bruce having received a far from warm welcome for the St James’ Park faithful.
Instead of battling relegation on Tyneside, Genesio is leading Bejing Guoan in a fight for the Chinese Super League title, entering the closing stages of the season in second place, one point behind the leaders Guangzhou Evergrande.
It could have been a very different story had Genesio been brought in following a successful takeover of Newcastle, who are still thought to be under consideration from Kenyon’s consortium.
While the club broke their transfer record to sign Joelinton in the summer, Bruce wasn’t allowed to make as many additions to the squad as he would have liked and has found the early going tough as a result.
Sunday’s 5-0 hammering by Leicester leaves the Magpies one from the bottom in the standings and they face another tricky test this week when they play host to Manchester United.
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