Newcastle United are yet to make contact with any of their managerial targets but have drawn up a shortlist headed by Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard and Mikel Arteta.

They are also keen on Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, but are not confident they will be able to persuade him to move to the North East, with Sean Dyche and Steve Bruce seen as fallback options at this stage.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport, Newcastle are keen to look at younger coaches in their search to replace Rafael Benitez, who will officially leave the club when his contract expires on June 30 after the club confirmed they had failed to reach an agreement to extend it.

All four have their appeal, although it remains to be seen if any are interested in the job given all are already in employment.

Vieira has done decent job at Nice in his first year in the south of France, Gerrard has insisted he wants to continue at Rangers after a solid first season in Scotland and Arteta is assistant manager to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Howe has been at Bournemouth since returning to the south coast from Burnley in 2012.

Newcastle have spoken to Vieira before, interviewing the Frenchman for the job before the disastrous appointment of Steve McClaren in the summer of 2015. Vieira impressed in that interview and has remained on Newcastle’s radar. Telegraph Sport understands the former Arsenal midfielder has no plans to leave, but would be interested in listening to what the Magpies had to say if they do make an approach.