Newcastle United have turned to Eddie Howe after Unai Emery snubbed becoming the next Toon manager, and Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter backs him for the job.
Potter has been speaking, via Sussex Live, ahead of the Magpies’ trip to the Amex Stadium on Saturday. Newcastle travel to the south coast still seeking their first Premier League win this season after the opening 10 games.
Graeme Jones will likely remain in the Toon dugout as interim boss after games with Crystal Palace and Chelsea. But Sky Sports report Newcastle are speaking with Howe over being their next permanent manager, two-weeks after sacking Steve Bruce.
Howe has remained out of work since leaving Bournemouth after their relegation to the Championship last year. He is a leading contender for the United job after Emery snubbed the hot seat to stay at Villarreal. With Newcastle holding fresh talks with the 43-year-old following initial contact after the Saudi-led consortium purchased the Tyneside outfit.
Additionally, Chronicle Live note Howe is keen to become the next Newcastle manager and lead their project. He would also want to bring his own backroom team to St James’ Park.
Howe is unlikely to be in charge when Newcastle visit Brighton, but Seagulls boss Potter has sung his praises. Replying when asked if the out-of-work gaffer is a good choice: “Eddie is a really experienced guy. He has been a fantastic Premier League manager.”
Should Newcastle hire Potter-backed Howe as next manager?
Potter praising Howe is unlikely to be the decisive factor in the former Bournemouth boss becoming the next Newcastle manager. But it shows the calibre of coach the Magpies may hire if Staveley, the Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund back him.
Howe would also reunite with some of his former Cherries stars by moving to St James’. Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Matt Ritchie played under the Englishman, and the Daily Mail report would like to again.
Fraser and Wilson rank sixth and ninth respectively for the players Howe has featured the most in his managerial career. Wilson featured 187 times under the potential Toon boss before joining the Magpies for £20m last year. While Fraser made 208 appearances before sealing a free transfer to Tyneside following Bournemouth’s relegation.
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