Paulo Fonseca is set to be offered the vacant position as Newcastle manager after impressing Amanda Staveley during interviews for the role.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma manager has been amongst the frontrunners to succeed Steve Bruce at St James’ Park, after the under-pressure manager departed by ‘mutual consent’ last week following the club’s change in ownership.
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Fonseca – who won three league titles during his time with Shakhtar – has held talks with the Premier League side this week and has impressed, with the Telegraph reporting that the Magpies are set to offer the 48-year-old a deal worth £6m-per-season.
They say that Fonseca ‘impressed’ during his interview in which Staveley was present, where he ‘outlined his football philosophy’, the former Roma boss previously suggesting his style of play would be suited to English football.
Fonseca held talks with Tottenham last summer following Jose Mourinho’s exit from north London, though now looks set to be tasked with reviving Newcastle’s fortunes with the Magpies currently 19th in the Premier League after failing to win in their opening eight fixtures.
The Portuguese coach has spoken of his desire to work in England and has now moved ahead of the likes of Eddie Howe, Lucien Favre, and Frank Lampard in the race to succeed Bruce.
Any appointment would have to be approved by Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, however, whose Public Investment Fund (PIF) now owns an 80% majority of the club.
Staveley – who brokered the Saudi-backed takeover deal earlier this month – has a 10% stake with PCP Capital Partners.
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