A former Newcastle United manager has laughed off suggestions that Eddie Howe could join Manchester United.
Alan Pardew brutally told a Manchester United fan to “forget” about Eddie Howe ditching Newcastle United.
Ruben Amorim is under the cosh less than one year into his reign at Old Trafford. A shocking 25.3 per cent win percentage is the worst of any Man United manager since World War II.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe backed Amorim with a new £200million frontline in the summer but they have endured an underwhelming start. Manchester City brushed their inter-city rivals aside 3-0 yesterday - with fresh questions asked about the manager’s future.
Alan Pardew responds to Eddie Howe question
An angry Man United supporter called into talkSPORT last night, urging the club to appoint Howe. The Toon boss is settled on Tyneside, holding a lot of power at St James’ Park while looking ahead to a Champions League campaign.
The suggestion was laughed off by former Newcastle manager Pardew - who told the fan to “forget” about Howe. He went on to back Amorim, albeit admitting he must change his stubborn system.
“Look at Spurs, they were having a terrible time with Ange,” Pardew said. “They had choices of international managers and went for one who, let’s be honest, did more than just his apprenticeship in the Premier League with Thomas Frank.
“I think he’s gone into Spurs and looks like a natural fit. A top manager at a top club. Now Amorim was a gamble, it was always going to be a gamble. Lifting him from the Portuguese league, without any sort of experience, halfway through a season where they (Man United) were having a disaster.
“The picture for him is difficult. There’s no doubt about that. I’ll stick by what I’ve said. I think this guy (Amorim) needs help.
“I want to see him supported and advised to do something else (with the formation). He needs to do something else. They’ve been the weakest team in the Premier League since he came in. That's a stat you can’t have as Manchester United manager.”
Ruben Amorim defends Manchester United system
Amorim hit back at critics of his 3-4-2-1 formation - insisting the problems lie elsewhere. He said: "The system is not the problem. You are here, and you saw Manchester United playing with a different system.
“Most of them, 4-3-3, and (it) was more or less the same result. I will try to do my best in the way I see the game, I don't see the system as you guys see the system, so I will try to do my thing."
‘A privilege’ - Eddie Howe on Newcastle United job
Howe committed his future firmly to Newcastle with an under-the-radar contract extension last summer. At the time, he was linked with the vacant England job but outlined the “privilege” of managing the Magpies.
"For me, as long as I am happy and feel supported and feel free to do the work that I love to do at Newcastle, I’ll be very happy and I am very happy” Howe told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It is an unbelievable football club. I’m very, very proud to be the manager. I love the supporters, I love the players, I love the staff.
“So really, there has been no thought in my mind on anything else and I have been very committed to the job here. I think my big message is how much I love the club and how much I love and respect the supporters.
“I think since the day I walked through the door, they backed us and they’ve backed me and they back the players and they’ve created an unbelievable environment for the players to play in, whether that is home or away.
"I’ll say it again, I’m absolutely honoured and privileged to be manager of Newcastle United. I hope that is for many, many years. My commitment is unwavering. I am determined to win a trophy for the football club, that is in my psyche every day. I want to see joy in the supporters. I want to bring that to them, hopefully. I think that is my big message to them and a big thank you for how they have treated me since I’ve come."
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