Eddie Howe deserves a statue outside St. James' Park. After all, he has been the purveyor of a new order at Newcastle United and has been described as "one of the best managers out there" by his assistant coach Jason Tindall.
But Newcastle are in a rut. To say the wheels have come off would be a step too far, but the turbulence of the summer transfer window has put a spoke in the club's wheels all the same, with United down in 14th place in the Premier League, three away defeats on the bounce and without a win on the road all season in the league.
The word from those connected to PIF, as per The Athletic, is that Howe's job is under no immediate threat, but there's an acceptance that results and performances have been well below expectations, and that needs to change.
The likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga are struggling down the flanks, and the problems on the tactical front can be found across all areas of the field. This is a big concern and needs rectifying quickly.
Talk of Howe's dismissal is premature, but it has raised the question as to who could succeed the English coach if the Magpies fail to fly out of the hole they have fallen into.
Why Newcastle could consider Howe's future
Howe arrived at St. James' Park shortly after the epoch-shaping PIF takeover, to say the club have gone from strength to strength since would be quite the understatement.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe
Two Champions League qualifications in three years and triumph in the Carabao Cup last season have immortalised this man, but he won't be at the helm forever, with recent results and performances indicative of deeper issues than a mere skid of form.
Particularly, the Toon have lacked confidence and coherence on the road, having won only once away from home all season - a 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League.
Newcastle's Form in 2025/26 (all comps)
Home
10
7
0
3
20
9
2.1
If the almost unthinkable event of Howe's departure were to come to pass, newly-appointed technical director Ross Wilson may well set his sights on Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who has been riding the crest of a wave on the English south coast these past few years.
According to The Mirror, the Spanish tactician is among the most likely candidates for the Newcastle hot seat, should a decision be made on Howe's future in the coming months, should improvements not be found in the matches ahead.
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But given former Barcelona boss Xavi and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who won last season's FA Cup, are also named, what is it about Iraola that demands such respect? Why, indeed, would he be the perfect manager to replace Howe at the helm?
What Andoni Iraola would offer Newcastle
Iraola was given the keys at Bournemouth at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Gary O'Neil had done good work at the Vitality Stadium, keeping the Cherries in the Premier League after their promotion, but Iraola's progressive and exciting style was viewed as the perfect fit for an ambitious outfit.
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Bournemouth haven't looked back. The 2023/24 season was one of stability, Iraola sticking his roots into the soil, but last year he made proper headway and garnered respect for his tactical acumen, matching Howe's record ninth-place finish (the difference being that Iraola finished with 56 points, whereas Howe collected only 46 during the 2016/17 term).
Journalist James Horncastle has gone as far as to hail the 43-year-old as being the "best coach in the Premier League" for his resourcefulness and shrewd coaching style. The sharp-minded manager labelled his vision as being one of "rock and roll", with such intensity and fury sure to be facets that endear Iraola to the Newcastle fanbase, should he be appointed down the line.
Should Newcastle make this move, it might help someone like Gordon return to top form. The Three Lions star struggled last season and has slipped further down a slope this year, yet to score or assist in the Premier League, albeit with four goals and an assist from four matches in the Champions League.
This is a winger who considers himself to be among the top brass, a "nightmare for anyone" he comes up against, words straight from the horse's mouth. So much more is needed.
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon
Iraola could be the man to rekindle the 24-year-old's finest form, with his high-pressure and high-speed attacking plan something that could work a treat for a pacy player like Gordon. After all, just look at the gains Antoine Semenyo has made at Bournemouth over the past few years.
Gordon could match him, eclipse him. Even so horribly out of sorts in the Premier League, the £150k-per-week talent ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for carries into the penalty area and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90 (data via FBref).
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
For sure, this is the kind of electric pace and athletic application that Iraola loves from his wide attackers.
Of course, this comes with the huge caveat that Howe himself enforces a game built on effective transitional play, and Gordon is flattering to deceive in this system.
But maybe this is merely a life force reaching its end. Newcastle have achieved great things under Howe's wing, but the boss will be defined by the stability he has created, able to pass the torch onto someone like Iraola.
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks dejected after the match
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks dejected after the match
Newcastle are not at the point where Howe's future must be considered with a view toward a decision, but Newcastle have not been good enough this season, and if they fail to escape from the hole into which they have fallen, Iraola would be the perfect coach to lead them forward and into an exciting new chapter.