Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce has asked the club permission to speak to Newcastle United about the vacant managerial position at St James' Park, according to The Times.
Newcastle have been searching for a new manager since Rafa Benitez left the club last month and Bruce has emerged as the new favourite for the role, after Sam Allardyce reportedly turned down the job.
It was reported yesterday that Newcastle are preparing an official approach to Sheffield Wednesday to speak to Bruce and are prepared to pay the Owls £1million in compensation to get him to leave Hillsborough.
It has now been revealed that Bruce himself has asked Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri for permission to discuss the role with Newcastle, but the Owls are reluctant to grant him his wish.
Bruce took charge at Hillsborough in February and was able to guide Sheffield Wednesday to a top-half finish in the Championship last season.
The Verdict
This is very worrying news for Sheffield Wednesday fans. The fact that Bruce has asked the club for permission to speak to Newcastle suggests that he is more than tempted by the chance to manage at St James' Park.
It would be a major blow for Sheffield Wednesday to lose Bruce now, especially so close to the start of the new season and the club should do everything they can to persuade him to stay.
The Owls boss has shown in just a few months in charge at Hillsborough that he is capable of achieving success at the club next season and to lose him now would be a major step in the wrong direction.
From a Newcastle perspective, it was always going to be difficult to replace Benitez, but an experienced man-manager like Bruce could be a good appointment for them.