The candidates to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle - ranked
By Max Parsons
That's it then - Steve Bruce has finally left Newcastle United.
The Magpies' now former boss was kept in charge for his 1000th game in management in Sunday's Premier League defeat to Spurs, but Newcastle's new owners have now officially decided to cut ties after completing their takeover a couple of weeks ago.
Bruce will now not get to feel the benefit of the billions of pounds that'll be pumped into the club over the next few years, with a new man set to be appointed swiftly following a series of interviews in the last few days.
90min understands it's down to three - Lucien Favre, Eddie Howe and Paulo Fonseca. And here we'll assess each manager's suitability to the role with an announcement expected in the coming days.
3. Eddie Howe
The former Bournemouth boss is the mastermind behind one of the most incredible stories in football, taking League Two Bournemouth and turning them into an established Premier League side during an eight-year stay on the south coast - winning the Football League Manger of the Decade award for 2005-2015 in the process.
Howe achieved three promotions in six years to get the Cherries into the Premier League, before overseeing an impressive five-year stay in the top flight until they were finally relegated in 2020.
Despite that misfortune, he's an excellent candidate for the job. Though this role will come with pressure he's never felt before... plus it's not like all of Bournemouth's super-expensive signings worked, is it?
2. Lucien Favre
Favre has been without a club since December last year, having been sacked by Borussia Dortmund following a shocking 5-1 home defeat to Stuttgart.
Yeah, not great.
The Swiss manager did have a 62% win rate at BVB, but will mostly be remembered for only delivering a DFL-Supercup in two-and-a-half seasons at the club, as well as unimaginative and boring football - remind you of someone?
There's no doubt Favre has experience at the helm of a big club, but he has barely anything to show for it.
1. Paulo Fonseca
The favourite at present appears to be Paulo Fonseca, who left his job at Roma at the back end of last season.
He was strongly tipped to get the Tottenham gig before pulling out of the running after some problems emerged in negotiations, but Fonseca could well suit what the Magpies are looking for.
His teams are known for their attacking prowess and capability of scoring goals - even while holes might be left defensively.
How very 'Newcastle Under Kevin Keegan'. With all the 1990s nostalgia already pulsating around St James' Park, why not hire the second coming of King Kev?