Newcastle United have interviewed former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick for the role of sporting director as a new era begins at St James' Park under PIF.

What's the story?

According to The Daily Mirror, the club's new owners are keen to revamp the club from the top down, and one of the areas in which they are considering making a move for is the sporting director role.

It's been suggested that both Rangnick, and former PSG transfer supremo, Antero Henrique, have been interviewed for the position as they look to make some big changes at St James' Park.

Rangnick would be perfect

Aside from his work as a sporting director, Rangnick has also previously had extensive managerial experience, and that could prove to be an ideal piece of knowledge for any new man coming in looking to liaise with him on potential targets and recruitment.

The Athletic described his approach as being "Bielsa-esque" as he plays a high-pressing game that looks to dominate on the front-foot - it's perhaps no surprise then that he is actually renowned as being the pioneer of the 'gengenpress' system.

As well as that, Rangnick has also been dubbed as "a professor, a scientist of football," and the "architect" of RB Leipzig's rise into a Champions League outfit, bringing through the likes of Timo Werner, Naby Keita and Marcel Sabitzer in his time there at the club.

What's perhaps most telling about the kind of impact he has on European football over these past two decades is the number of high-profile coaches who point to him as being their main source of inspiration, including Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool boss simply said: "One of the best, if not the best German coach."

That's high praise from a Premier League and Champions League winning manager, and while his role would be slightly different at St James' Park as a sporting director, it would be such a massive coup for the Magpies to bring Rangnick into the fold.

Newcastle fans would surely be delighted with the 63-year-old's appointment.

Meanwhile, Newcastle must also get rid of this man as well as Bruce...