The stress of the last few months at Newcastle United has seemed to have an adverse and very unfortunate effect on the health of their manager Joe Kinnear, who was admitted to hospital prior to the Magpies' 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday suffering from high blood-pressure.
Whilst the Dublin-born manager is expected to make a recovery and return to his duties within a matter of days, reports on Tyneside are suggesting that the Newcastle board have a replacement lined up, should Kinnear's poor health prove too much for him to resume work.
Kinnear's career has, of course, been previously disrupted by poor health, being forced to resign from his position as Wimbledon manager in 1999 after suffering a mild heart attack.
He is currently mulling over an offer from Newcastle owner Mike Ashley of a permanent two year contract at St James' Park, but has not yet made a decision.
Now, according to reports in Tyneside local newspaper The Sunday Sun, the Newcastle board have lined up Mexican coach Javier Aguirre as a replacement, should Kinnear decide not to accept the contract, or his health prevent him from doing so.
Aguirre lost his job as Atletico Madrid coach last week, after a winless start to the calendar year. His dismissal has reportedly caused outrage amongst players at the Spanish club, with some, including former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, threatening a walkout from the club in the summer.
Aguirre enjoyed some success at Atletico, finishing fourth in La Liga last season, and taking the club into the Champions League for the first time in 11 years.
According to the press report, the Magpies also sounded out several other Spanish coaches prior to appointing Kevin Keegan as manager 13 months ago.
Former Newcastle Vice President was, of course, Tony Jimenez, something of a deal-broker in international football circles, anda man with significant Spanish connections.
Whether Aguirre would consider a club in Newcastle's current predicament remains to be seen, but it would seem that steadiness, certainty and consistency are a long way away from Newcastle United at the moment.
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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