It all boils down to the last six games of the season at Newcastle, despite rumblings caused by the Andoni Iraola announcement yesterday
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola (left) and Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola (left) and Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
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Newcastle United sources have played down talk that Andoni Iraola's AFC Bournemouth exit is connected with Eddie Howe's position at St James' Park.
Iraola announced on Tuesday that he would be leaving the South Coast club at the end of the season after failing to agree on a new contract with the Cherries.
With Howe under pressure after Newcastle's slip to 14th place in the Premier League table, it instantly sparked a conversation about the prospect of him succeeding Howe in the Toon hotseat, with Sky Sports at one stage yesterday suggesting a job swap when talking to one of their fan pundits.
Chronicle Live was told Iraola's status is not connected with Newcastle's current situation as Howe continued to prepare for Saturday's game with the Cherries amid a gloomy backdrop on Tyneside.
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Iraola has already been linked with a return to his old club Athletic Bilbao, and while he may well be interested in a move to the North East if the Toon job became available, the links with Newcastle were deemed "disrespectful" to Howe by some industry insiders on Tuesday, given he is trying to focus on Saturday's game.
As stories of Bayern Munich wanting to sign one of Howe's star players, Anthony Gordon, began to increase on the Bundesliga circuit, the player's representatives did not comment when approached by us.
That leaves Howe with another question to answer at his next Press conference on Friday morning. As reported on Chronicle Live yesterday, Howe will get the chance to perform in the final six Premier League games with a European place still mathematically achievable.
Howe vowed to fight on in the direct aftermath of Selhurst Park, but a long season is taking its toll on the squad. Even Palace boss Oliver Glasner had sympathy for Howe on Sunday when underlining the impact of playing in the Champions League and trying to balance a domestic campaign.
What lies ahead at Newcastle now is the final half dozen games then an end of season review that will cover all aspects of the club. Another tough summer window is expected and while there is money to spend, star players could have to be sold to help balance the books.
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United
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Gordon, who denied he was set for a move only in February, could yet be one of them if talk of Bayern bid proves to be on target. If Newcastle aren't in Europe such a move would appeal to the ambitious forward.
Although in fairness to Gordon the last time he was asked about rumours he said: "About me? I haven't seen them. What are they saying?
"It's the same old, same old. I think they just pick names out of a hat. They do (names out of the hat). I haven't heard anything; they might want to tell me before they tell you (the media)."
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