Newcastle United look set to appoint West Ham United reject Paulo Fonseca as their new boss to replace Steve Bruce, a man who previously failed an interview with Hammers owner David Sullivan.
According to widespread reports including from Sky Sports, Newcastle are set for talks with Portuguese manager Fonseca as their replacement for Steve Bruce – two years after he was snubbed by West Ham.
West Ham co-owners Sullivan and David Gold interviewed Fonseca back in 2018 as a potential replacement for David Moyes following his first stint at the club.
Hammers reject Fonseca set to be named new man in charge of mega rich Newcastle?
But West Ham snubbed the then-Shakhtar manager and elected to appoint Manuel Pellegrini instead.
Fonseca then signed a new deal with the Ukrainian side as West Ham wanted someone who had ‘a proven record both in the Premier League and European football’ (Evening Standard).
According to reports at the time, Fonseca and his agent Jorge Mendes held a 75-minute meeting with West Ham majority shareholder Sullivan.
Newcastle set to appoint man who was snubbed by Hammers after failing David Sullivan interview?
But West Ham then confirmed they were moving on to other candidates with Rafa Benitez then West Ham’s prime target.
Now Newcastle look set to appoint the 48-year-old who has been out of work since being sacked by Serie A side Roma following a disastrous two-year spell.
West Ham reject Fonseca’s time at Roma is perhaps best remembered for an embarrassing error in the Coppa Italia.
Roma were knocked out in the last 16 by Serie A minnows Spezia on penalties.
Hammers and Spurs snubs sandwiched by disastrous spells at Porto and Roma
But incredibly the soon to be announced Newcastle boss would have seen his side thrown out of the competition anyway after he mistakenly made six substitutions rather than the five allowed.
Fonseca has a questionable record as a manager with his time at Porto also deemed a failure.
Strange appointment for “world’s richest club” – perhaps he is the stooge new owners need?
After getting their wish of seeing Mike Ashley and Bruce ousted, Newcastle fans will surely have been expecting a bigger, better name than Fonseca.
Tottenham fans were far from happy when Fonseca was linked with them in the summer, with many citing taking a West Ham reject as a ‘new low’ for the north Londoners.
Daniel Levy promptly knocked that on the head making it two Premier League clubs that have snubbed the man set to take the helm at St James’s Park.
Perhaps Fonseca is the stooge Newcastle need to almost act as interim manager until the new owners get their house in order.
More West Ham news:
Moyes responds to speculation linking West Ham with move for striker.
Prem great Didier Drogba hails ex West Ham striker Sebastien Haller.
UEFA say West Ham are serious contenders to win Europa after meeting.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
