Steve Bruce leaves position as Newcastle head coach
Newcastle United’s owners reportedly made contact with managerial frontrunner Paulo Fonseca over the summer as the search for a new boss begins following the sacking of Steve Bruce. Bruce was relieved from his duties on Wednesday following an unsuccessful two-year spell on Tyneside which ended with a 3-2 defeat against Tottenham in the first game of the new era.
Fonseca left his post at Roma at the end of the previous campaign and was almost appointed as head coach at Tottenham, but the move to north London broke down.
According to The Telegraph, Fonseca was first approached during the summer when the owners were debating what they would do with the club, while discussions between the two have now reopened.
Fonseca is currently still without a job and is said to be interested in taking over the reins from Bruce at Newcastle.
The 48-year-old didn’t win a trophy while in charge of the Serie A side but guided them to a fifth place finish in the league, as well as the semi-final of the Europa League during his first season in charge.
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Gerrard put Celtic’s dominance on hold when he guided Rangers to the title last season, and his side are currently leading the way again in the current campaign.
Former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and former Chelsea and Juventus manager Antonio Conte are two other names being touted as potential replacements.
There is, of course, also the option of appointing an interim manager until the end of the season, although such a move would be unlikely.
Bruce’s assistant, Graeme Jones is set to take charge for Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park to Crystal Palace.
Paulo Fonseca was contacted by Newcastle's new owners in the summer (Image: GETTY)