Eddie Howe is a leading contender to replace Michael Carrick if Manchester United dismiss their manager.
Eddie Howe is a leading contender to replace Michael Carrick if Manchester United dismiss their manager. (Image: Getty Images)
Nearly 12 months have passed since Eddie Howe distanced himself from the Manchester United manager's position - but with Michael Carrick facing mounting criticism at Old Trafford and the former Newcastle head coach now unattached, circumstances have changed considerably for the Carabao Cup-winning tactician.
Questions remain over whether Howe would be permitted to accept another Premier League role immediately, given his mutual exit from Newcastle involved financial settlements. The Magpies are unlikely to be funding the highly rated manager to work against them, with restrictions expected in his departure agreement.
Nevertheless, with Carrick, Roberto De Zerbi and Fulham's Alvaro Arbeloa all experiencing difficulties heading into a three-week international break, Howe would inevitably emerge as a contender for all three positions.
Carrick's odds to be sacked were cut dramatically to 5/2 following an underwhelming 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage on Sunday, while De Zerbi remains without victory and rooted to the foot of the table despite a £302m transfer outlay and two substantial loan acquisitions.
The Manchester United vacancy would undoubtedly appeal to any available manager, with Howe understood to be held in high regard by the Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox.
Below, we examine what might lie ahead for Howe, just three months since he decided that he had taken Newcastle as far as possible.
Remarkably, it falls near the one-year anniversary of Howe being questioned about the Manchester United position amid speculation surrounding Ruben Amorim's departure from Old Trafford. Ultimately, Amorim remained in place until January 5, when he was dismissed following an uninspiring 1-1 draw with Wolves.
On October 4 last year, Howe had stated: "I'm all in (at Newcastle). My commitment here is 100 per cent and always has been. My family is still here, and we are fighting every day to make a success of what we are doing."
Howe's credentials for the Manchester United role received backing from club legend Roy Keane last January, who told Sky Sports: "I'd go with Eddie Howe. I like him. I like what he's done.
"He's managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they'll play good football. He has his critics, but I like what he's done at Newcastle. He's managed seven or 800 games. He's still a young man. I love his calmness. Maybe Man Utd need a little bit of that."
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Howe stands as the overwhelming favourite for any future Manchester United vacancy, with Paddy Power and Sky Bet pricing him at 15/8 for the role. Behind him come former Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, ex-Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Sir Gareth Southgate, while former Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna and Fabian Hurzeler are priced at more distant odds.
Howe is also favourite to become the next England manager at 5/2 with Sky Bet, with Pep Guardiola at 10/3 and Mauricio Pochettino at 7/1. The path to the international position could prove further away, should Thomas Tuchel secure several UEFA Nations League victories ahead of Euro 2028 on home turf.
Michael Carrick, Manager / Head Coach of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 ma
Michael Carrick is under pressure at Manchester United. (Image: Getty Images)
The duration of Howe's time away from management remains uncertain, though he admitted to having depleted energy levels when he stepped down on July 31.
At the time, Howe explained: "After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break.
"Although it's been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it's the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I've been here, and this one is no different."
Howe believed the break between departing Bournemouth in August 2020 and accepting the Newcastle position in November 2021 proved somewhat excessive. He remains acutely aware that rejecting elite opportunities isn't something he can afford to do repeatedly.
This indicates he may well return to a Premier League touchline in the near future rather than the distant one.
A fascinating question indeed, particularly given that failure could affect his prospects for an England job down the line. There exists clear competition between Newcastle and Manchester United, something Howe understands perfectly well, yet this would likely prove insufficient to deter him from accepting the position.
The opportunity would be too compelling to refuse and merit the risk despite England's concerns.
Besides, Howe showed little interest in the England role during the summer of 2024 following Southgate's departure, preferring hands-on daily management.
Howe will turn 49 at the end of November and - presuming success - a triumphant period at Manchester United could potentially open the door to the England position later in his career if we're considering a fairytale managerial conclusion.
The response must surely be positive for Howe and his coaching staff of Jason Tindall, Simon Weatherstone and Stephen Purches, who would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to relocate to Old Trafford.