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Newcastle United potential Rafa replacement: Anthony Hudson

By Carson A Merk

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 11: Coach Anthony Hudson of New Zealand talks to his players during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between the New Zealand All Whites and Peru at Westpac Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 11: Coach Anthony Hudson of New Zealand talks to his players during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between the New Zealand All Whites and Peru at Westpac Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) /
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The former New Zealand national team manager has reportedly had contact with Newcastle United.

With the news still fresh of Rafa Benitez’s upcoming departure from Newcastle United, we are doing our best to analyze the potential candidates. Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones is reporting there could be interest in former New Zealand national team manager Anthony Hudson. We take a look at his resume and discuss our feelings towards him potentially replacing Rafa.

Previous candidate articles: Eddie Howe

The CV

Current club: N/A

Previous club(s) managed: Colorado Rapids, New Zealand (national team), Bahrain (national team), Newport County, Real Maryland Monarchs (amateur)

Playing career? Yes. The American-born midfielder spent time with West Ham United’s youth side, Luton Town, NEC Nijimegen, and Wilmington Hammerheads.

The Experts’ Opinions

(On a scale of 1 to 5)

Durim Halimi: -1

I know the range we are using is 1 through 5, but I have to give Anthony Hudson a -1. Newcastle United are insane if they think it is a wise decision to replace a notable manager who won the Champions League and Europa League with a manager who got sacked by the Colorado Rapids in the MLS. With a winning percentage of 17% in the United States, the Magpies must steer clear of this man. He is an unproved manager with a poor track record and his arrival will surely earn Newcastle United the label of relegation favorites.

Carson A. Merk: 1

Let me start by saying that I am a fan of Major League Soccer and have previously covered the American league. Yes, we got Miguel Almiron from there and DeAndre Yedlin previously played there. But, they were excelling in their time there before making the move to England. Anthony Hudson was LET GO by Colorado Rapids earlier this year. That’s really bad. Imagine that, fired in MLS to hired by a historic Premier League club, what a time…

Next. NUFC's top four signings of the Benitez era. dark

I understand that he is only 38 years old, but he has little to no success as a club level manager. He did a decent enough job with Bahrain and New Zealand’s national teams, but expectations were very low for both. He is not ready for this level of managerial responsibility. I’ll go as far as to say that if Hudson is hired, I’d fully expect Newcastle United to be relegated.