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LONDON - Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort says that only candidates who could speak English would be considered for the vacant manager's job at St James' Park.
In what amounted to a job description for Sam Allardyce's replacement, Mort also said the new man must be capable of getting the team playing stylish football.
"There have been suggestions that we would only appoint a British manager," Mort said on the club's website (www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk).
"That is not true. However, we think this is a big enough job without the manager having to operate through an interpreter, so the manager will have to be someone who is able to speak English."
England's new manager, Italian Fabio Capello, has used an interpreter at his news conferences.
Allardyce lasted less than eight months in the job and was criticised for his style of football. Mort said he was determined to find a man who fulfils all the criteria.
"We appreciate we will have defeats and losing runs along the way but if the team is not trying to play football 'on the carpet' as Bobby Robson recently described it, they will always struggle to win over the followers of Newcastle United."
Alan Shearer, the club's record goalscorer, is the fans' favourite to take the job, acording to a poll in The Times newspaper.
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes have also been linked to the post.
Mort said whoever took the job would have to be able to cope with the pressure and expectation of the fans.
"We need someone willing and able to take on and cope with Newcastle United.
"This is a big club with massive potential, it's a fabulous club to manage," he said.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp turned down the chance to move to Newcastle last week.
- REUTERS
