So, it seems as though Unai Emery won’t be the new manager of Newcastle United.
The Spaniard has released a statement on social media stating his intention to stay at Villarreal, and barring another twist in the tale, he won’t be coming to Tyneside.
So, where do Newcastle go from here? Well, according to The Athletic, their second-choice is Eddie Howe, so it seems as though that may be an avenue they now explore.
Howe is a manager who is bound to divide opinions. He worked wonders at Bournemouth, but in his final season with the Cherries, he took them back down to the Championship.
Whatever your view is of Howe, there is at least one reason to be excited by the prospect of him joining Newcastle.
Indeed, there are two players at St James’ Park who could thrive if Howe comes in.
We’re talking about Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson.
Fraser and Wilson of course know the former Bournemouth boss well, working alongside him at Dean Court for a number of years, and under his tutelage, they formed an incredible partnership.
During the 2018/19 season, Fraser provided no fewer than seven assists for Wilson, which made them statistically the best partnership in European football at one point.
If Howe can come to Newcastle and utilise the same players in a similar system then there’s no reason why they can’t replicate this form in the north-east.
Fraser hasn’t lived up to expectations at Newcastle thus far, that’s for sure, but if Howe comes in, he could re-ignite the Scotsman’s form by once again pairing him up with Wilson and re-forming that partnership that was so deadly at Bournemouth.
Howe knows how to unlock these players and if he can get them back to their best, Newcastle could soon get themselves out of trouble.
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