Paulo Fonseca is reportedly set to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle with Frank Lampard understood to have pulled out of the running for the vacant hot-seat. The Magpies’ new owners ramped up plans to appoint a new boss this week after finally parting company with Steve Bruce following last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham at St James’ Park.
Newcastle are said to have paid Bruce a significant sum of £8m to relieve him from his duties on Tyneside.
The move has now allowed them to crack on with talks and interviews from a long list of potential candidates.
Steven Gerrard, Unai Emery, Roberto Martinez, Graham Potter, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte are among those to have been linked with the position but Newcastle have explored other avenues.
The club are believed to have spoken to Fonseca, Lampard, Eddie Howe and Lucien Favre among others.
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The Magpies are yet to win a match in the Premier League this season having drawn three and lost five.
Staveley has already conceded that the Saudi-backed consortium is fearful the club’s top-flight status is currently under threat.
Newcastle are now ready to hand Fonseca a contract worth £6m per season as he prepares to swap Rome for the North East.
Fonseca was in charge at Roma during last year’s takeover before he was dismissed at the end of last season by mutual consent.
His greatest managerial achievements include leading Shakhtar to nine trophies after guiding Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira to third in the Primeira Liga.
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Bruce’s former assistant Graeme Jones is expected to take charge of the next two matches including Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
It’s been speculated that Fonseca could be in the stands at Selhurst Park as his appointment edges closer.
Earlier this year, fellow contender Lampard revealed he would be open to dropping back down to the Championship if the opportunity felt right.
“I’m not rushing into anything but if the opportunity arises and it’s the right one then I want to work again,” he told The Times. “I love working in management more than I thought I would.
“I would take a view on going into the Championship. If it was the right club, the right project, for sure. I don’t have an ego where I feel just because I’ve managed in the Champions League, that’s the be-all and end-all.”
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