Newcastle United have spoken with Paulo Fonseca over replacing Steve Bruce as the club’s next manager, but have some concerns over the former Roma boss, as per the Daily Mail.
Intermediaries have pushed the Portuguese’s name toward the Magpies since last week’s Saudi-led takeover. Newcastle are looking for a potential new head coach with the Toon’s new leadership set to sack current incumbent Bruce.
The 60-year-old will take charge of Sunday’s Premier League fixture at home to Tottenham Hotspur. But the clash may mark Bruce’s final at the St James’ Park helm, as Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers discuss potential alternatives.
Tyneside chiefs have also discussed hiring Belgium boss Roberto Martinez or Villarreal manager Unai Emery. While Newcastle have spoken with Fonseca over replacing Bruce as the club’s next manager in recent days.
However, some in the new St James’ hierarchy have concerns over Fonseca’s suitability for the Magpies hot seat. They raised issues with suggestions he interviewed poorly for the Tottenham job while Spurs sought Jose Mourinho’s successor this summer.
Fonseca confirmed to The Telegraph that he had a deal agreed with the north Londoners to take charge in June. But the arrival of Fabio Paratici as Managing Director saw plans shift, as the Italian wanted a more defensive-minded manager.
“The agreement was done,” he said. “We were planning the pre-season and Tottenham wanted an offensive coach. It wasn’t announced, but we planned pre-season players. But things changed when the new Managing Director arrived. We didn’t agree with some ideas, and he preferred another coach.”
Should Newcastle hire Fonseca after talks to replace Bruce?
Tottenham eventually turned to Nuno Espirito Santo after the Portuguese left Wolves at the end of last season. Fonseca also left his previous position as Roma boss earlier this year, with Mourinho replacing him at the helm.
Fonseca looked likely to move to America after Paratici torpedoed his Spurs move, with TuttoMercatoWEB reporting talks with Atlanta United. But that deal also fell through, to leave Newcastle in a position to make the 48-year-old their next manager.
Concerns over his Tottenham talks could see Newcastle veer away from Fonseca replacing Bruce, however. Passing on a chance to hire a manager with a stacked trophy cabinet. He won three Ukrainian Premier League titles and cups with Shakhtar Donetsk. He also lifted the Portuguese Cup while in charge at Braga and the Portuguese Super Cup with Porto.
Fonseca’s Shakhtar side impressed Pep Guardiola when Manchester City faced them in the Champions League, as well. The Spaniard told the Citizens’ official website after the game: “Tonight, we beat an amazing team. It was an extraordinary performance.”
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