Giovanni van Bronckhorst's agent has confirmed his client is interested in the vacant Newcastle job.

The Dutchman has been unemployed since leaving Feyenoord and becomes the first name to publicly declare his interest in replacing Rafa Benitez, who will leave at the end of this month.

"I think the rumours have come a little bit early and no-one from the club has spoken to Gio. But I think every coach in the world would be interested in working in the Premier League," Albers told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

"And what we would say if a club like Newcastle has an opportunity to work for them then of course he would be interested in doing that. It is an amazing club with an amazing fanbase but it's up to them who they decide to go for.

"Giovanni left Feyenoord, he was competing on a limited budget but won the Eredivisie against two clubs in Ajax and PSV who have greater resources. He had a great relationship with the fans, the players, the media and the city and he's ready for the next challenge."