Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley may be plotting to replace manager Steve Bruce with Italian legend Gennaro Gattuso.

According to Calciomercato, Ashley is looking at Gattuso as the man who could take the reins from Bruce if the Magpies continue to show poor form in the Premier League in the coming weeks.

Bruce's side have yet to win this term, while they have a win ratio of 19% in the past ten months with seven wins in the past 36 matches.

Gattuso was linked to Tottenham in the summer, but no move materialised.

The former midfielder has managed Napoli and AC Milan, where he spent the most successful years of his playing career.