Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United lost to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this past weekend.
Manchester City were the favourites heading into the tie, and Pep Guardiola’s side did not have any issue in dismissing Premier League rivals Newcastle United and progressing to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
There is nothing much for Newcastle to play between now and the end of the season. The Magpies are as many as 16 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and will not get into the UEFA Champions League places
Newcastle could still clinch a UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League place, but it is hard to see Manchester United, West Ham United and Brighton and Albion all collapse in the final weeks of the campaign.
The Magpies’ season is virtually over now, and Richard Keys has urged club owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), to sack Eddie Howe and bring in former Manchester United and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
As you can read below, the beIN SPORT presenter has outlined the reasons why the 61-year-old former Real Madrid boss would be the perfect manager for Newcastle.
Mourinho, who is interested in becoming the new Bayern Munich boss, is without a managerial role at the moment following his departure from AS Roma in January 2024.
Richard Keys wants Jose Mourinho to replace Eddie Howe at Newcastle United
Keys wrote on his website: “I was never convinced that Howe was the right man for Newcastle, but in fairness he did a terrific job last season. It was great to see them mixing with the big boys again. He restored pride and belief, but it’s time for change if they want to push on.
“I really don’t think Howe can take them to the next level. His team reflect his personality. They’re ‘nice’. And nice doesn’t win at the very top. You need some devil. City can be easy on the eye, but they’ve got devil. All the best teams have.
“My answer? Jose Mourinho. Few people know more about winning than he does. He’s done it everywhere he’s been – including ‘half a trophy’, as he puts it, at Spurs. What madness that was – sacking him in the week of a final. I know there’s a view that Mourinho is finished. That the game has moved on. B******s. The game will never move on from winning. There are no guarantees in football – except that Mourinho will win you a trophy.
“He would be perfect in the North East. He’d energise the place again. Set it alight. Eddie Howe is a good man, but everyone has fallen asleep on his watch. If Newcastle want to sign top players they need a top coach to attract them. Geography plays a huge part these days when players are making decisions about which club to join. London is always favourite. The North West – Alderley Wedge and surrounding areas are popular – even for players at Liverpool and Everton.
“Newcastle is a big ask. I’m sorry, but it is. Keegan’s magnetism drew players. Mourinho would have the same effect. It’s ridiculous to think that Mourinho still needs to prove himself after all he’s done, but for some, it seems he does. Where better than with Newcastle?
“When he started winning – and bloodying the noses of United, Chelsea, City and the rest again, Newcastle fans would love him. When he delivered a trophy they’d adore him. One last thing – with Klopp leaving us, our league needs Mourinho back.”
Big decision ahead
I do not think that PIF will make a decision on the future of Eddie Howe just yet. I think that the Newcastle United owners will wait until the end of the season.
Howe has done well at Newcastle. After all, the Magpies finished in the top four of the Premier League table last season and played in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League this campaign.
But, Newcastle have failed to build on from last season’s success. This campaign should have been about the Magpies pushing on and at least competing for the top four. They have gone backwards.
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