Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has emerged as an option for Newcastle United should they decide to move on from Eddie Howe this summer, HITC understands.
HITC understands Newcastle United’s owners – the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, are hugely concerned by the form shown by the club this season and it is not guaranteed that Howe remains in charge.
No decision has been taken as of yet, but HITC is told by sources with knowledge of the situation that work has been undertaken to check on potential replacements.
HITC can reveal that PIF do not see doing due diligence on potential replacements as a clear sign that Howe will be replaced, but merely they are putting together options that they could act upon in the future, if required.
HITC, though, can reveal that one of the names that would be in the mix is Mancini – who already has strong links with PIF as it is understood they helped finalise his appointment as Saudi Arabia boss last year.
Impressive CV
Roberto Mancini does tick a lot of boxes for the sort of manager that PIF would be looking for. Someone with an extensive CV, which includes league titles. Mancini also has the added bonus that he has won the Premier League.
Mancini was part of the Manchester City revolution when he replaced Mark Hughes in 2009 and he guided them to one of the most dramatic title wins of all time in 2012. Mancini is credited with being the catalyst for City as we know them today, and was key to them breaking through and winning their first Premier League crown – something that is PIF’s ultimate aim at Newcastle.
The 59-year-old is now based in Saudi with the national team after accepting the offer to take charge of the Middle Eastern nation, leaving Italy after five-years – which included them winning the European Championship in 2020.
PIF to make final decision
Sources confirm that Howe has the rest of the season to show the sort of form that will convince PIF not to make a change, but whilst Howe may have been given assurances by some members of the club’s hierarchy – it is PIF who will have the final decision on such matters.
PIF’s plan for Newcastle was ahead of schedule before this season, but it was not in their plan to drop out of contention in the league, and not just for the top-four but for the top-six. The lack of European competition after going out in the Champions League group stages is a huge area of concern, as is the club’s lack of silverware or even the challenge for it. That said Newcastle are still in this season’s FA Cup as they face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
PIF are already in the process of finding a new sporting director with Dan Ashworth soon to seal his move to Manchester United, and they are also assessing what areas of the club – including the manager – need to be upgraded or not.
Current head of recruitment Steve Nickson is a candidate to step in and replace Ashworth, but that will be decided as part of the process. HITC understands that the likes of Brentford’s Phil Giles, a Newcastle fan, former Roma supremo Tiago Pinto and Benfica’s sporting director Rui Pedro Braz are amongst those being discussed.
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