UPDATE: Shortly after the publication of this article, Gennaro Gattuso was named as the new Fiorentina manager.

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Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley could fire up his squad by hiring Gennaro Gattuso amid Fabrizio Romano's major update.

What's the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Italian is someone the Magpies are interested in as they assess their managerial options ahead of the new Premier League season in a couple of months.

Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Gattuso will leave Napoli, thereby opening the door for Ashley to potentially bring in the fiery 43-year-old in the summer.

The news of Gattuso's departure was then confirmed by the club's owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, who said: "Dear Rino, I am happy to have spent almost two seasons with you. Thank you for your work and I wish you success wherever you go. A hug also to your wife and children."

Could rock the Newcastle squad

Even in his playing days, Gattuso was the kind of tigerish midfielder that really set the tone with his intensity, and he's brought exactly that style to his management career as well.

Back in November, Corriere dello Sport (via Daily Mail) reported that the Italian had clashed with his Gli Azzurri squad, with Gattuso angrily saying: "I've been talking about this for months now. I see an attitude I don't like and it hurts me. We need to sort this aspect out as soon as possible."

That never-say-die mentality is something he prides himself on, and he's previously spoken of his disdain about the state of football right now, saying: "When I lost a match I broke down in frustration. Today players lose, take a selfie and put it on the Internet. They make me sick."

Nicknamed a "snarling dog", Gattuso could come into St James' Park and really light a fire under the Newcastle players and leave them in no doubt that nothing other than 100% will do.

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That kind of effort and passion from the side-lines would surely lift the crowd at Newcastle, and gets the fans onside too - you only have to look at how Liverpool fans have embraced Jurgen Klopp and his manic presence in the dugout to see the kind of impact a charismatic figure can have.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are heading for transfer disaster over this £15k-p/w star...