Benitez departed as manager at St. James’ Park at the end of his contract this summer and his successor is yet to be confirmed. Arteta, who works as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and Nice boss Vieira, were both on Toon owner Mike Ashley’s shortlist, reports The Sun. However, the newspaper believes that Arteta ruled himself out of the running after a conversation with Benitez in which he was critical of the Newcastle hierarchy. Vieira made the same decision last week after a similar chat on the phone with the Spaniard, who is now in charge of Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang. Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce has now emerged as favourite for the job despite only arriving at Hillsborough in February. Newcastle are eager to appoint a new boss soon, with a pre-season trip to China looming on Saturday, and the 58-year-old is understood to be keen on managing his boyhood club. Read more… 12 expensive outcasts who are STILL at these Premier League clubs 10 one-season wonders who flopped after landing a big transfer Topics Newcastle United, Manchester City, Nice, Sheffield Wednesday, Premier League, Championship, Ligue 1 Newcastle youngsters bag Wednesday win Ranked! The 10 worst EVER starts in the Premier League Carvalhal shuns Swansea speculation Wednesday keen on signing Ameobi Newcastle set to make formal approach for Wednesday boss Bruce Arsenal risk losing young talent as European giants swoop Livingston sign French striker Aymen Souda Craig Levein feels partly responsible for Peter Haring’s injury problems Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes Romelu Lukaku promise in hope of keeping striker in Manchester Why Christian Eriksen wants to leave Tottenham – but is short of options for a move 12 expensive outcasts who are STILL at these Premier League clubs Quiz! Can you name the 23 players to break the world record transfer fee since 1967? Wednesday’s big transfer rumours: Manchester United given permission to speak to midfielder PSG set eye-watering Neymar price as Barcelona consider next move