Four Portuguese managers have already been at least tentatively linked with the Newcastle United managerial spot.
While each of them seem unlikely, here we take a look at them in turn - and study how realistic each link really is and how the speculation started.
Will the next Newcastle manager be Portuguese? Probably not. But we look at the leading four candidates nevertheless!
Rui Faria (14/1)
The Portuguese manager that currently has the shortest odds to be the next Newcastle boss is actually, perhaps surprisingly, Rui Faria.
Currently managing Qatari outfit Al Duhail, who boast Shoya Nakajima in their ranks, Faria is considered, by the bookies, the joint fourth most likely manager overall to succeed the departing Rafa Benitez.
The long-time second-in-command to Jose Mourinho, Faria was considered for the Aston Villa managerial job close to the start of last season, but eventually ruled himself out of the running.
That was due to him wanting to spend more time with his family though, and, now in a managerial hot-seat, it is clear that he would be interested in the role.
Mourinho, speaking of his long-time right-hand man, said: “17 years and the kid is now a man. The intelligent student is now a football expert, ready for a successful career as a manager.”
While he isn’t one of the most favoured names linked with the job, with Mikel Arteta, Roberto Martinez and David Moyes considered more likely according to the odds, Faria is certainly a very plausible appointment.
Likelihood: 5/10
Jose Mourinho (16/1)
Even more surprisingly, and somewhat humorously, the bookies have Jose Mourinho as the second most likely Portuguese coach to take on the Newcastle job.
Mourinho has been out of work since his time at Manchester United came to an abrupt end earlier this season with United sitting 6th in the league standing.
Overall, the bookies have Mourinho as the joint 8th most likely to take on the job, behind the aforementioned managers in addition to both Garry Monk and Mark Hughes.
There is no real foundation to linking Mourinho to the Newcastle job, and it is mainly speculation, particularly considering Mourinho has very much distanced himself from the job already.
In any case, a move for Mourinho always seemed highly implausible, particularly considering his pedigree in the game.
Likelihood: 1/10
Jose Gomes (25/1)
The third name on the list also makes for interesting reading - current Reading boss Jose Gomes.
Gomes was appointed as Reading manager part way through last season, given the task of guiding the club to safety - and he managed it in the end, with a game to spare.
He left Portugal with what was a less than spectacular reputation; managing Rio Ave - his first managerial job in Portugal for 11 years - his side were under-performing somewhat in the league after an excellent campaign the season before, but he proved to be a very good appointment by Reading, even if they did fail to get their first-choice manager - Luis Castro.
Gomes has actually become something of a fan-favourite at Reading, the fans even putting on a “Portugal Day” on the final day of the season to show their appreciation for Jose Gomes, and they would likely be disappointed to see him leave so soon.
But, they can rest easy; Gomes going to Newcastle is highly unlikely; first and foremost, Newcastle have far more proven options than Gomes to call upon, who still hasn’t done near enough in the English game - or in football in general - to land a Premier League job.
Likelihood: 2/10
Sergio Conceicao (25/1)
And, at the same odds as Jose Gomes, we have FC Porto manager Sergio Conceicao.
It’s quite interesting that two managers with very different managerial CVs and reputations back in their home countries have been given the same odds by the bookies.
While Gomes didn’t have great pedigree in Portugal, Conceicao is seen as something of a top-class manager in Portugal - and his work for Porto has been quite sensational, bringing out the best in the players at his disposal.
The likes of Moussa Marega and Vincent Aboubakar thrived under his management, and after leading them to the Primeira Liga title in his first season at the club, he followed that up with a runners-up place in all three domestic competitions last season - in the league, the Portuguese Cup, and the League Cup too.
He’s deserving of a chance to test himself in the Premier League - and Newcastle, while they are going through some tough times at the moment, would be seen as a very exciting project for him.
His interest in the vacant Newcastle job was first reported by Sky Sports News, and while not much has been said of his potential appointment since, no doubt he’d be a very impressive pick-up for the English side.
Likelihood: 3/10.