The Mike Ashley era at Newcastle United was a dark period for all the supporters, with the fanbase being starved of any form of tangible success on the pitch.
During his 14-year spell in charge of the Magpies, the club dropped into the Championship on two separate occasions, with his lack of spending undoubtedly a huge factor.
However, the Saudi PIF’s purchase of the club back in 2021 has since seen huge success at St James’ Park, with the Magpies even managing to feature in the Champions League on multiple occasions.
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Their best day in a generation came on the 16th of March 2025, with the senior side winning the Carabao Cup, subsequently winning their first piece of silverware since 1968/69.
Eddie Howe was responsible for delivering such achievements on Tyneside, but the 48-year-old has now found himself a man under pressure in recent weeks.
Why Eddie Howe is a man under pressure at Newcastle
As previously mentioned, Howe has been the man to provide Newcastle fans with the success they massively craved during the Ashley tenure at St James’ Park.
However, football is a cutthroat industry, with the manager under huge scrutiny amid the recent struggles across various competitions over the last few weeks.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the start of the match
The Magpies currently sit in 14th position in the Premier League, with the club 10 points off a place in the top five - a huge aim for the hierarchy before a ball was kicked this term.
His men have also been knocked out of the FA Cup and the Champions League since the start of March, with the latter the result of an 8-3 aggregate defeat against Barcelona.
Howe’s side have now won just one of their last six games in all competitions, including another Tyne-Wear Derby defeat to local rivals Sunderland a couple of weeks ago.
As a result, huge noise has been made around the manager’s long-term future, with the hierarchy having a huge call to make on whether he stays in charge and who could replace him.
The man who should replace Howe at Newcastle
Over the last few weeks, countless names have been touted to replace Howe as Newcastle manager, despite the club reiterating their support for the manager.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
Such a decision has baffled the supporters, with the 48-year-old struggling to get the best out of his players - including £65m summer addition Nick Woltemade.
The German was the man chosen to be the replacement for the outgoing Alexander Isak, but the 24-year-old has often featured in an unnatural midfield role.
He has registered seven Premier League goals so far this campaign, currently sitting as the club’s second top-scorer, but it’s a tally way below what the fans expected after his big-money transfer.
However, the new addition could hugely benefit from the hierarchy sacking Howe and making a move to appoint Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola this summer.
Andoni Iraola - Premier League Record
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The Spaniard, who's been dubbed the "best coach in the Premier League" by James Horncastle, has previously been of interest to the Magpies and could be a viable option, with the 43-year-old’s contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
He’s currently in his third season in charge at the Vitality, with the Cherries currently occupying 11th place and sit just three points off 6th-placed side, Chelsea.
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During his time on the South Coast, Iraola has won 45 out of his 121 games at the helm, subsequently achieving a 37% win rate and making the club a consistent top-flight outfit.
Last season, he equalled their best-ever Premier League finish of 9th place, with the manager able to take Newcastle to the next level with the chance to work with added funds.
Woltemade would be just one of the players to benefit from the Spaniard’s arrival, with the manager working wonders with Eli Junior Kroupi during the 2025/26 campaign.
The Frenchman, who’s only 19, sits as the club’s top scorer on 10 goals, with the attacker undoubtedly benefiting from the manager’s impressive coaching ability.
The German could follow in the same vein next campaign if the Bournemouth boss is hired on Tyneside, with the young boss able to write a new history for the Magpies.
Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade
There’s no denying that Howe has been an excellent manager for Newcastle over recent seasons, but it’s become evident this term that he’s taken the club as far as he can.
The recent decline in results and league standing will be a concern to the hierarchy, who ultimately need to make the right call and opt for a change of manager.
Iraola would be an unbelievable replacement for the Magpies this summer, with such a move allowing the club and Woltemade to reach the next level in 2026/27.