JUST IN: Sunderland New assistant Head Coach turned down manager’s job for Sunderland role…

The 38-year-old had been lined up to take the position of manager at Liga 3 club Academica, according to Record, and was even in attendance at the team’s recent Portuguese Cup game against Torreense ahead of a potential appointment.

However the move failed at the last hurdle, with Riberio rejected the club’s advances due to ‘other proposals’, which has transpired to be a move to the Stadium of Light.

Academica instead appointed former Lank FC manager Antonio Barbosa.

Ribeiro had been a free agent since leaving his position of manager of Leixoes in January, where he had a record of 7 wins, 5 draws and 12 defeats in 24 games.

One of those defeats, and one of his final games at the club, being a narrow 2-1 defeat at FC Porto in the Portuguese cup. His team were drawing 1-1 when they had a man sent off just before half time and the hosts scored the winner five minutes from time.

The Magpies failed to do that in the summer, with the search for a centre-back taking centre stage once top target Michael Olise became unavailable. Sadly, Newcastle United did not bring in a centre-back either, with Paul Mitchell failing to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

It is rumoured that Newcastle could make a fresh move for Guehi in January, but he might not be the Magpies’ top target. Instead, it has been reported that Newcastle will prioritise signing a right winger over anything else.

However, it remains to be seen who Paul Mitchell and Eddie Howe will target

Newcastle United linked with Antoine Semenyo

There will be rumours regarding Anthony Elanga, after Newcastle tried and failed to land him during the summer transfer window.

But now another Premier League attacker is reportedly on the Magpies’ radar – a player who has enjoyed a very bright start to the season.