Newcastle United have been offered the chance to hire a manager who once said he nearly joined the Magpies as an assistant to Sir Bobby Robson, according to reports.
Howe under pressure after underwhelming Newcastle season
The pressure on Eddie Howe has rarely been greater.
A season that began with Champions League football and genuine optimism has curdled into something altogether more uncomfortable, and a lot of supporters at St. James' Park are keen for a change to be made.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe
Newcastle head into Saturday's home clash with Bournemouth, who've just got a new manager in place themselves, sitting 14th in the Premier League, with serious questions hanging over Howe's long-term future at the club.
They crashed out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup at the hands of Man City, and were then battered 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16.
In the league, it has been a story of wasted opportunities and inexplicable collapses.
Newcastle have dropped more points from winning positions than any other club in the division this season, a damning indictment of a side that keeps finding new ways to let games slip.
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Daniel Farke's side are keen on him.
Their most recent outing ended in a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, surrendering the lead once again, making it three straight losses in all competitions.
The visit of Bournemouth will do nothing to ease the tension.
Newcastle have not beaten the Cherries in the Premier League in any of their last seven meetings, a run that stretches back years and adds yet another layer of pressure to an afternoon Howe desperately needs to get right.
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While the likes of David Ornstein have reported that Howe isn't in danger of the sack just yet, a meagre end to the campaign could make PIF think twice.
Benfica boss José Mourinho 'presented' to Newcastle
According to TEAMtalk's transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have been 'presented' with the option of appointing José Mourinho as their next manager this summer.
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Mourinho is currently in charge of Benfica, having returned to the Portuguese club in September, but his availability and profile have apparently made him an attractive proposition for the Newcastle hierarchy as they weigh up their options heading into what could be a pivotal summer.
The 'another level' 63-year-old needs no introduction.
His track record at elite clubs is undeniable, and for a PIF ownership group with serious long-term ambitions, the appeal of a manager with genuine Champions League pedigree is understandable.
Whether Newcastle can land him is another matter entirely.
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Mourinho's name has been floated around several big jobs, and his options will not be limited to Tyneside. But the very rumour that he has been put forward as a candidate tells its own story about the mood within the club, and the growing uncertainty surrounding Howe.
The 'special one', speaking back in October, interestingly confirmed that he was once close to joining Newcastle as an assistant under Sir Bobby, but never as the manager outright.
Howe has publicly reaffirmed his commitment and says he is focused on the remaining fixtures.
He may well survive the summer, but with bad results piling up, and names like Mourinho being whispered, the clock is ticking louder than ever on Tyneside.
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