... that was the report from a national newspaper, who are obviously desperate to flog a few newspapers.
To his credit, Sven's agent Athole Still was quick to say he was as stunned as the Toon fans to hear the news. So, we can push this story under the carpet.
Freddy Shepherd: "This is all news to me. I have not spoken to Sven since he left the England job and I have no intention of speaking to him. Neither have I spoken to his agent Athole Still - and as far as I am aware, they have not tried to approach us.
"In any case if they did, it would not matter because we already have a manager."
Still: "It does not surprise me, because he was linked with West Ham. Such is his stature that if there is a vacancy he is going to be linked with a job.
"But I have spoken to Sven, and he is not happy at the suggestion that he has targeted Newcastle - which gives quite a different slant to the thing.
"To suggest he is looking at a club where there is another professional coach in situ, it is absolute rubbish to say that. He would never do that.
"It is one thing to say that a club is interested in him - and in this case, there has been no contact whatsoever - but to say he has targeted the job of another coach is absolutely unacceptable and is malicious.
"There have been lots of clubs interested, but somebody at his level has to wait for the right job. The right job will come, and I believe it will come sooner rather than later."