NEWS FLASH: A former defender for Newcastle United is expected to lead a former Premier League team.

A former Newcastle United defender is anticipated to become the helm of a former Premier League team.

Mike Williamson, a former star for Newcastle United, is the front-runner to become the manager of National League club Oldham Athletic.

The former Newcastle center-back, who took over at the International Stadium in the summer of 2019 after a fan-led takeover, has made an impression in his first managerial position with Gateshead.

Williamson’s team eventually gained a return to non-league football’s top flight when they won the National League North championship in May 2022 after making the play-offs in his first season as manager.

The highlight came when League One club Charlton Athletic visited the International Stadium for a live televised second round tie in December 2021. The 39-year-old has also had success in the FA Cup, helping the Heed to the ‘proper’ rounds of the competition in three of his four seasons in charge.

Williamson also guided Gateshead to their first-ever major cup final appearance at Wembley last season as their team narrowly lost 1-0 to FC Halifax Town in the FA Trophy Final. Williamson did this alongside dependable assistant manager Ian Watson.

Despite all odds, Gateshead successfully fought to keep their National League status last season, and the enthusiasm has carried over into the current campaign as they sit one point and one point back.

The Hampshire match ended in a tie, but Oldham, a league foe, lost 3-0 to Bromley, a team coached by former Newcastle United goalkeeper Andy Woodman.

David Unsworth’s tenure as Latics manager came to an end as a result of the loss, and Williamson is currently the 4/1 favorite to replace him at Boundary Park. The former Magpies star, who played for Newcastle for five years and made over 160 appearances, hasn’t indicated that he’s ready to move on and has instead repeatedly expressed his desire to help Gateshead in their quest for success.

Speaking lately about his view on life at the International Stadium, he said: “We just offer the guys the encouragement and detail to realize their potential. We know the players have a high ceiling. There is still a great deal of space for improvement, and if the boys couldn’t focus on anything bad, we wouldn’t either.