Newcastle United are reportedly drawing up a shortlist of managers to replace Eddie Howe.
The Magpies have enjoyed incredible success under Howe, winning the EFL Cup last season after also reaching the 2023 final, while twice qualifying for the Champions League.
However, the 2025/26 campaign has proved to be a real slump so far, with Newcastle 14th in the Premier League table after 32 games and in serious danger of missing out on Europe entirely. Meanwhile, Newcastle exited both the FA Cup and EFL Cup to Manchester City, in the fifth round and semi-finals, respectively, and were utterly dismantled 8-3 by Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 - suffering a brutal 7-2 away defeat in the second leg.
Jose Mourinho admired by Newcastle United
For all their struggles, Newcastle are still just six points behind Chelsea in sixth, sitting on the edge of a huge group of teams still battling for continental qualification. However, if they’re to keep those hopes alive, they simply must beat Bournemouth at home this Saturday - especially with the Cherries 11th in the table.
Failure to pick up a result there could end Newcastle’s European aspirations for next season and apply serious pressure on Howe from some already-disgruntled supporters.
Newcastle United’s remaining Premier League fixtures:
18/04/26 - Bournemouth (H)
25/04/26 - Arsenal (A)
02/05/26 - Brighton (H)
10/05/26 - Nottingham Forest (A)
17/05/26 - West Ham (H)
24/05/26 - Fulham (A)
It’s understood that the 48-year-old still has the backing of the Newcastle hierarchy for now, but football is a fast-moving industry, and a few bad results can massively alter the landscape.
According to talkSPORT, those upstairs at St. James’ Park have already started considering candidates to replace Howe, should he fail to turn things around. Mourinho - a three-time Premier League champion - is understood to be on that shortlist, despite only taking the Benfica job in September. That said, he’s also thought to be a leading candidate for the Portugal job after the World Cup, with Roberto Martinez likely to leave.
Alongside Mourinho, former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, currently in charge of Qatari side Al-Sadd, is understood to be well-liked on Tyneside, as is Andoni Iraola, who will lead Bournemouth against the Magpies this weekend but has been confirmed to be leaving the Vitality Stadium this summer.
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