‘Unreal’, ‘in a heartbeat’: Some Newcastle fans react to links with 48-year-old coach

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A number of Newcastle United fans have welcomed links with Paulo Fonseca in wake of the club’s long-awaited takeover.

The Magpies are under new ownership as a Saudi-led consortium officially took over the club on Thursday.

Steve Bruce is currently in the St James’ Park dugout, but it remains to be seen how long he’ll remain in the role.

A report from the Daily Mail claims the new Newcastle owners have opted to sanction the £8million payoff clause in Bruce’s contract.

According to The Mirror, the Magpies are now looking at Fonseca, who is currently a free agent.

The 48-year-old won the Ukrainian league and cup double in all three seasons with Shakhtar, plus a Ukrainian Super Cup.

He has nine trophies to his name – seven with Shakhtar, a Portuguese Cup with Braga, and a Portuguese Super Cup with Porto.

Fonseca also likes to play attacking football – the Roma website quotes him as saying: “I have very clear ideas – ideas I think you can see in my teams.

“That involves having the ball, taking the initiative and being an offensive team. These are the aspects that define my game and my aim in matches.”

Fonseca would be a fairly straightforward appointment, given Newcastle wouldn’t have to pay compensation to a club for his signature.

If he fancied trying his luck in the Premier League and undertake a project where he could try to awaken a sleeping giant, then the Magpies would be a good shout.

And Some Newcastle fans certainly seem eager to have him on board: