Patrick Vieira odds-on to get Newcastle job

The Magpies are searching for a new manager after a near-disastrous caretaker spell by John Carver, who took over soon after Christmas following the departure of Alan Pardew and only steered the team away from relegation with a win on the final day of the season.

Vieira, who currently holds the elite development role at Manchester City, has been installed as 4-6 favourite to take the hotseat at St James' Park, with recently-fired Derby County manager Steve McClaren second favourite at 6-4.

Michael Laudrup and David Moyes are also thought to be in the running, though bookmaker William Hill prices them at a distant 10-1 and 12-1 respectively.

The Daily Mirror reports that Newcastle's unpopular billionaire owner Mike Ashley wants to get a new manager in place this week as he goes through the recruitment process with club managing director Lee Charnley.

Both Vieira - whose contract at City expires in the summer - and McClaren are believed to be heading to Newcastle for talks this week, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The paper reports that Vieira has misgivings about Newcastle, however, saying that he, "is thought to be concerned about the potentially toxic atmosphere caused by the fractured relationship between owner Mike Ashley and the fans."