Former Arsenal star Remi Garde still interested in becoming Newcastle boss

Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk

Frenchman Remi Garde remains interested in becoming Newcastle's head coach next season - despite witnessing the Toon's horror show at Manchester City first hand.

The former Arsenal midfielder was working as a pundit for French TV at the Etihad Stadium as the Magpies crashed to a humiliating 5-0 defeat.

It was a performance labelled 'shameful' by Toon legend Alan Shearer on Match of the Day that night while current boss John Carver issued an immediate apology to the travelling fans.

But Garde has told pals that for all the problems at St James' Park, he hasn't been put off taking charge of Newcastle if the board still want him.

NEW BOSS: Garde is still interested in becoming Newcastle manager

Currently on a 12 month sabbatical after quitting Lyons, Garde was installed as the bookies' favourite to succeed Alan Pardew when it emerged he held talks with Toon managing director Lee Charnley last month.

With none of the club's initial preferred candidates keen to take over mid-season, Newcastle decided to hand Carver the managerial reins at least until the end of the season.

Garde, however, remains a contender for the job long-term along with Christope Gaultier, currently coaching at St Etienne.

But he remains reluctant to talk about his Toon prospects publicly.

He said: "I have a duty of confidentiality in this matter to Newcastle then I'll be very honest and very integrated with respect to the leaders of Newcastle. I cannot say more."

"I cannot say I'm desperate to return on the bench, far from it. But I can easily say that I loved this coaching experience."

"I needed to recover and rejuvenate myself."

"But I have probably caught a virus to start this profession."

"I do not close the door to anything or to take another year off or to dive into a project that would suit me."

Gaulitier has also indicated he would leave St Etienne in the summer though as he is under contract, any club who wants him would have to pay around £300,000 in compensation.