The Telegraph are this evening reporting that David Moyes could be about to answer an SOS call from Mike Ashley and Newcastle United. Steve McClaren's time as Newcastle boss is quickly falling into the realm of the nightmare, with a 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth this afternoon leaving the Magpies 19th in the league.
Having spent more money than any other Premier League club in the January transfer window, McClaren has been under intense pressure to see an upturn in results. Such an upturn has failed to materialise, and reports circulated among the local press that the players are surprised that McClaren has yet to be sacked by the club.
McClaren had to be separated following a confrontation with the journalist who broke that story, with the players subsequently issuing a statement that McClaren retained their support. When you are getting the dreaded vote of confidence from your own players, you know things are not going well.
Now it appears Newcastle are ready to call time on McClaren's reign, having appointed him as Head Coach last summer to replace comedy's John Carver.
The Telegraph claim that McClaren will be dismissed within the next 48 hours, and that the club's preferred replacement is Moyes. The former Manchester United manager is understood to have some reservations about taking the position, and will seek assurances over player recruitment. Despite these reservations, and interest from Celtic, Moyes is believed to be content to answer Newcastle's desperate plea.
Some may suggest that Newcastle targeting a British manager who worked his way up with a lowly side, before failure in a big job precipitated a move abroad is merely an instance of going from the frying pan to the fire, but these are desperate times on Tyneside.
