Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has ‘pulled out of the running’ for the Newcastle managerial role after Paulo Fonseca emerged as the frontrunner, according to reports.
The 43-year-old former England midfielder was among several candidates who emerged as a potential successor to Steve Bruce, who was axed from Newcastle on Wednesday.
Lampard has been out of management since he was sacked by Chelsea back in January after 18 months in charge of the London club.
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Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben was reportedly keen on landing the former Chelsea manager, while Amanda Staveley preferred Fonseca to succeed Bruce.
Staveley, who helped broker the Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s consortium that led to the takeover of Newcastle, was impressed with Fonseca’s interview.
According to reports, Fonseca would be offered £6m per year to ensure Newcastle avoid Premier League relegation.
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The Daily Mirror now claims that Lampard was not interested in the Newcastle role and raised concerns over the club’s Premier League relegation battle.
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The newspaper reports that the former Chelsea star was ‘believed to share the concerns of a string of managers concerned about Newcastle’s prospects of staying in the Premier League.’
Newcastle’s new manager is expected to receive a budget of around £50m in January after the £300m Saudi Arabian-backed takeover.
That is despite the Premier League club having as much as £200m available to spend under Financial Fair Play rules.
Fonseca, who was previously linked with Tottenham in the summer, left Roma at the end of last season and was replaced by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
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Despite Staveley’s approval of the former Roma head coach, The Daily Telegraph reports that the appointment would have to be ‘rubber-stamped’ by Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
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Fonseca is reportedly demanding a ‘£6m salary, including bonuses’ from Newcastle, with the club currently sitting in 19th place in the Premier League table.
Newcastle suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Tottenham last Sunday in their first match since Mike Ashley’s 14-year reign came to an end.
Bruce’s contract was terminated by mutual consent after his 1,000th match as a manager, with Graeme Jones appointed caretaker boss at Newcastle.
Jones’ first match in charge of Newcastle will be against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm UK time.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Frank Lampard, Newcastle United, Premier League, England, Football