Reports in the Spanish press suggest that Newcastle have sounded out the availability of Racing Santander coach Marcelino for next season, with Kevin Keegan's time on Tyneside possibility coming to a rather abrupt end.

Newcastle have failed to win a league game since Keegan took the reigns from Sam Allardyce in mid-January and the club's board are said to be becoming ever more frustrated by the lack of progress on the pitch since Keegan was appointed.

The suggestion is that they are willing to keep Keegan on board until the end of the season and will then look to appoint a long-term successor to lead Newcastle into the foreseeable future.

Their search for a new coach has taken them to Spain, with a report in Marca indicating that Newcastle officials have contacted the agent of Racing Santander coach Marcelino to see whether his client would be interested in taking over in the summer.

The 42 year old has carved an impressive reputation in the last few years, taking Recreativo into the Primera Division and then to a top ten finish before joining Racing at the start of the current season.