Newcastle United are plotting the stunning return of former goalkeeper and hero Steve Harper as they lose goalkeeping coach Chris Terpcou to Premier League giants Arsenal, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper state that the Australian senior figure is heading down to London to join new Gunners boss Unai Emery as part of the backroom staff at the Premier League giants, leaving the Magpies to source a replacement for their long serving coach.
It is stated that his exit could open the door for Harper, who is the club’s longest ever serving player, to make a surprise return to St James’ Park in what would be a move welcomed by the Toon Army.
Opinion
The Magpies have always been relatively strong between the sticks and part of that will come down to the coaching that Terpcou has offered his keepers. His loss will be a big blow but it is time for a fresh start, and Harper could well be welcomed back to Tyneside after some time away. He would be handed the responsibility of taking Freddie Woodman, as well as other young talents, from starlet to senior option, after the prodigal shot stopper finally broke into the first team last season, and that would be a hefty job considering just how highly rated the England under-21 star is. Still, Harper has the know how and the experience of both being part of the Magpies and in the Premier League so there would likely be no one better to learn under – other than perhaps Harper’s rivals between the sticks all those years ago, Shay Given