NEWCASTLE are hoping to complete their managerial search by the end of the week, and have sounded out the possibility of a double swoop for Dutch duo Erik Ten Hag and Marc Overmars.

Former Arsenal midfielder Overmars is one of the leading candidates for the sporting director role that Newcastle’s new owners are hoping to fill as part of their backroom overhaul at St James’ Park.

The 48-year-old is currently employed as Ajax’s director of football, and sources in the Netherlands claim he will make the appointment of ten Hag as head coach one of the prerequisites for a move to St James’ Park.

Ten Hag is one of the most highly-regarded coaches in Europe at the moment, with Ajax having impressed in both European and domestic football this season.

The Dutch side thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the Champions League last Tuesday, further embellishing a reputation that saw ten Hag linked with a possible move to Tottenham earlier in the summer.

Having turned down a move to Spurs, ten Hag signed a contract extension with Ajax that means Newcastle would have to pay a two-year compensation package to prise the former Utrecht boss from the Amsterdam Arena. However, if they want to push through a move to Overmars, they might well have to appoint ten Hag too.

“Marc hasn’t informed me of anything,” said ten Hag, when asked about speculation linking him with Newcastle last week. “I don’t think he’s withholding anything from either. I’m not working on (anything other than Ajax).”

Having interviewed former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca last week, Amanda Staveley and her advisors are hoping to complete their recruitment process ahead of Saturday’s home game with Chelsea.

Graeme Jones, whose first game as interim manager ended in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at the weekend, has already been told he will be in charge of this weekend’s meeting with the league leaders, but Newcastle’s ownership group would like to have Steve Bruce’s permanent successor in place for the following weekend’s trip to Brighton.

Fonseca, who has confirmed his desire to take charge of the Magpies, is regarded as an extremely strong candidate, although other contenders remain in the frame. Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is known to have his supporters on Tyneside, while Staveley and her fellow director, Jamie Reuben, are also understood to be keen to speak to Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, who has refused to rule out a move away from Ibrox, and former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre.