Two Former Toon Stars Battle It Out!

Last updated : 07 March 2018 By Footy Mad - Editor

Patrick Kluivert is the 10/11 odds-on favourite to shrug off the challenge of Craig Bellamy to become the next manager of Sky Bet League One side Oxford United.

Image result for Newcastle United Patrick KluivertThe 41-year-old former Toon striker enjoyed a prolific playing career at European giants Barcelona, Ajax and AC Milan and is reportedly being targeted for the job by Oxford’s new financial backer Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth.

The former Dutch international was last at French side Paris Saint-Germain as the Director of Football, and has had managerial spells at with FC Twente's reserve team and international side Curacao.

Oxford have been reportedly speaking to David Unsworth, Craig Bellamy and Alan Stubbs as they looked for a manager.

Now, Kluivert has been backed into the favourite for the job.

During his time as a player, the forward scored 90 goals in 182 games for FC Barcelona, before a spell in the Premier League with Newcastle United during the 2005/06 season.

The latter stages of his career saw him line-up for PSV Eindhoven, Valencia and Lille. His first role in his post-playing career saw him feature as a part of Louis Van Gaal's coaching staff at AZ Alkmaar.

He would be reunited with Van Gaal once again in 2012 as he took a job with the Netherlands national side, the highlight being a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.