Could either Frank Lampard or Eddie Howe succeed Steve Bruce at Newcastle?
(Picture: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Paulo Fonseca is the early favourite to succeed Steve Bruce as Newcastle manager.
Bruce’s departure from St James’ Park by mutual consent was finally confirmed on Wednesday after two weeks of speculation since the club were officially taken over by a Saudi-led consortium.
Assistant head coach Graeme Jones will now take charge of Newcastle on an interim basis with clashes against Crystal Palace and Chelsea looming, supported by the team of Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence, Ben Dawson and Simon Smith.
The Magpies confirmed that the process of selecting a new boss was now underway, with an appointment to be announced “in due course”.
Fonseca is the early front runner among the bookmakers to replace Bruce.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk coach has been out of work since leaving AS Roma at the end of last season, having held talks with Tottenham over succeeding Jose Mourinho in the summer before negotiations broke down.
Eddie Howe is also believed to be an option, with the 43-year-old yet to return to management after exiting Bournemouth in August 2020 and rejecting the chance to join Celtic.
Likewise Frank Lampard, who was sacked by Chelsea in January and replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
Other names linked with the vacant post at this stage include ex-Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre, Rangers chief Steven Gerrard and former Arsenal coach Unai Emery, now in charge at Villarreal.
Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers has already dismissed reports connecting him with the position.
Next Newcastle manager odds
Paulo Fonseca - 6/4
Eddie Howe - 4/1
Lucien Favre - 4/1
Frank Lampard - 11/1
Steven Gerrard - 14/1
Unai Emery - 20/1
Brendan Rodgers - 25/1
Jose Mourinho - 25/1
Roberto Martinez - 25/1
Antonio Conte - 33/1
