Newcastle United are in decisive talks with Lucien Favre over becoming the Magpies’ next manager, with Paulo Fonseca now only the second choice to replace Steve Bruce, per Bild.
The Toon have made Favre their favourite for the St James’ Park hot seat as they search for Bruce’s replacement. He left Tyneside last week by mutual consent after two-years at the helm, with assistant Graeme Jones taking interim charge.
Fonseca was edging towards replacing Bruce at Newcastle following the 60-year-old’s exit, but is yet to agree any terms. Chronicle Live claimed talks with the Portuguese ramped up rapidly last week, but non-executive Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan did not give the sign-off.
Now, Newcastle are veering towards appointing Favre, who is also currently out of work, as their next manager over Fonseca. The 63-year-old is yet to seal his return to a dugout since leaving Borussia Dortmund last December after two-and-a-half-years in charge.
Favre won 68 of his 110 matches in charge at the Westfalenstadion across all competitions. BVB also finished second in the Bundesliga during each of his two full seasons in charge.
Fonseca is only the Magpies’ second choice to replace Bruce in the event talks with Favre collapse. Newcastle hope to announce their next manager in the coming week, although Jones has already confirmed he will oversee Chelsea’s trip to St James’ Park this Saturday.
Who would Newcastle hire as manager in Favre?
Favre produced an attacking brand of football with Borussia Dortmund that may appeal to Newcastle amid the Toon’s manager search. BVB also comfortably outscored their goals conceded over his tenure, but were defensively susceptible and cautious towards the end.
Some players who have worked under Favre still praise the Newcastle candidate after their separations, however. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen once said of Favre, who handed him his senior debut with Borussia Monchengladbach, via Tribuna:
“I know Favre quite well. He gave me my first chance and is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had!”
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