Newcastle Move One Step Closer To Finding New Manager as Garde Enters Holds Positive Talks – Report

Newcastle are reportedly closer to finding a replacement manager for Alan Pardew with the club believed to have entered into positive talks with Remi Garde.

Garde is currently out of work after quitting as Lyon coach for personal reasons, but the former Arsenal defender is reportedly at the top of Mike Ashley's list as the next manager at St James' Park.

After Alan Pardew confirmed his move to Crystal Palace at the beginning of the year the club got to work quickly on finding someone to fill his shoes in the dugout and according to Goal, recent talks with Garde over a deal have gone well.

"Talks went well and both sides have now got things to think about," the source said.

After a playing career which lasted 12 years, including featuring for Lyon and Strasbourg before making the move to Arsenal in 1996, Garde took a break from the game before returning to manage Lyon in 2011. He brought success to the club but quit in May 2014 because he needed another break.

"The reasons are personal and family. I feel the need to take a break," he said at the time.

But a return to coaching could be on the horizon with a Newcastle side who have so far enjoyed a somewhat successful season so far and currently sit in the top half of the table.

After leaving the club, Pardew admitted that he found the transfer budget to be a strain, but insisted that recent pressure from the fans didn't influence his decision. With the managerial job at Newcastle comes a great deal of pressure but Garde is reportedly interested in taking on the challenge.

He is believed to have held negotiations with chiefs at the north-eastern club on Friday and a decision appears near as Ashley looks to appoint someone this month, possibly in time to complete some business in the winter transfer window.