Newcastle United are expanding their managerial search to Europe.

The Sunday Telegraph says Gerard Houllier, Louis van Gaal and Ottmar Hitzfeld are all now in the frame for the position created by Sam Allardyce's surprise sacking on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, senior Newcastle sources have denied they had even offered the position to Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp during a meeting in London on Friday evening, insisting the Portsmouth manager's refusal to move to the North East and his desire to commute had ended their talks.

"During discussions Harry raised the subject of being able to fly up to the North East," said the source. "We've always believed that the manager would be somebody based full time in Newcastle.

"That was a major stumbling point and it was clear when we talked about the issue there was no point in going any further."