With the news of Steve Bruce stepping down/getting sacked as the manager of Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, the race has heated up to take up the vacancy left by the Englishman; as per reports around the club, former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca is the man in the lead.
An entry into the Premier League could still be on for Paulo Fonseca, who was once so close to joining Tottenham Hotspurs during the summer, however, late hindrances stopped the deal from finalising at the last minute.
Now, eager and excited, Fonseca is said to want the job and the chance to take the Toon Army into their new and thrilling era. Funny enough, the man he was supposed to replace in North London is the one who replaced in Rome, Jose Mourinho.
"Newcastle sacked head coach Steve Bruce on Wednesday morning.Paulo Fonseca has emerged as the front-runner to replace Steve Bruce at St James’ Park and if he does get the job, Newcastle supporters can expect attacking football and plenty of entertainment. (Via: Sky Sporst)"
Newcastle decision on new manager will take some days. Paulo Fonseca would be open to accept and excited for this opportunity after Spurs job chance collapsed at final stages last summer - but Newcastle are in talks with many candidates. ⚪️ #NUFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 21, 2021
Race still open for Magpies job.
Paulo Fonseca is a manager with rich experience
The Portuguese would come to St. James’ Park with loads of knowledge under his belt, domestically and on the European front; he has managed teams from the Ukrainian Premier League to the Serie A, manager at Champions League and Europa League level.
Managerial Honours since 2013
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2013 – Porto FC
- Taça de Portugal: 2015–16 – Braga
- Ukrainian Premier League: 16–17, 17–18, 18–19 – Shakhtar Donetsk
- Ukrainian Cup: 16–17, 17–18, 18–19 – Shakhtar Donetsk
- Ukrainian Super Cup: 2017 – Shakhtar Donetsk
- Ukrainian Premier League Best Coach: 2016–17 – Shakhtar Donetsk
The always serious looking figure has a lot to offer, especially an attractive game. However, this will be his first stint in the demanding English Premier League – and if we take last season into account – he ended seventh in the Serie A with Roma, forcing the breakup with the Italian club.
Nonetheless, the appointment of the Portuguese should not come with expectations to win the league immediately. On the contrary, the rebuild will take time and with time and patience, good things will start happening – and quite frankly – a seventh-place finish doesn’t sound too bad for the Toons.
What is happening with the other Newcastle targets
The Magpies have been linked with every manager and every player around the globe. Names mentioned beside Fonseca have been Steven Gerrard, Roberto Martinez, and Unai Emery.
The former was said to be leading the race in the early part of the week and prior to the dismissal of Steve Bruce – but it appears he has been overtaken in the race for the job – if he was ever serious about the position.
The other two, Martinez and Emery, are still behind the previously mentioned front runners but will still be heavily considered, as the decision for a new man to take the helm on Tyneside is the most important appointment and step towards the future.