Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves has revealed that former AS Roma boss Paulo Fonseca is a contender for the now vacant Newcastle United manager's job.

What's the story?

The Magpies finally confirmed on mid-Wednesday morning that Steve Bruce had left the club via mutual consent, and Graves has indicated that Fonseca is in the frame to take over.

Writing on Twitter earlier this morning before news broke of Bruce's departure, he said: "Should #nufc new owners decide to part ways with Steve Bruce, we understand former Porto, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca would be of significant interest. Latest on @SkySportsNews. Fonseca is currently out of work and came close to joining Tottenham in the summer."

Fans should be excited

While Fonseca may not be the most recognisable name to English football fans, he's certainly earned a reputation out in Europe as someone who's a winner and is capable of creating teams who play exciting, attacking football.

At Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, the 48-year-old won three successive league titles and three successive domestic cups, while his team at AS Roma saw him build the team into a genuine force in European competition.

"I'd put them with Atalanta and Sassuolo as the league's entertainers," claimed The Athletic's James Horncastle, via Tifo Football, whilst Alex Stewart described his style as "exciting."

And, despite their Europa League exit last season at the semi-final stage, Portuguese journalist Alex Goncalves still backed Fonseca to enjoy a big career, tweeting: "It's a bad result for Paulo Fonseca today, a 6-2 defeat to Manchester United. His managerial CV is exceptional, & his managerial ability matches it, but his time at Roma may be coming to an end. A talented manager who plays stylish football likely to be available this summer."

After the dreariness of Bruce-ball at St James' Park, Fonseca's arrival could lift spirits at St James' Park, and his penchant for front-foot football is sure to excite Magpies fans.

Meanwhile, George Caulkin has dropped some behind-the-scenes insight on PIF...