Newcastle are said to be considering the prospect of hiring Luciano Spalletti to replace Eddie Howe next season.
What’s the story?
Well – according to Calciomercato – the Magpies are huge admirers of the Italian as his Napoli side sit 15 points clear at the top of Serie A this season.
The Italian news outlet make the claim as Howe currently finds himself five games without a win at Newcastle.
Newcastle have slipped to sixth in the Premier League table as a result, allowing Liverpool to leapfrog them as hopes of a spot in the Champions League next season begin to fade.
However, the Magpies do still have two games in hand over Tottenham, who sit four points ahead of them in fourth.
Nevertheless, admiration for Spalletti – who has won 509 games in management – from Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi is understandable.
The 64-year-old has arguably overseen the most entertaining football from any side across Europe this season, with his Napoli team scoring 58 goals in just 25 Serie A outings.
Napoli have also conceded just 16 goals in those 25 games – the balance of Spalletti’s side is extraordinary.
Newcastle wanting Spalletti must be nonsense
In our view, this story cannot be true.
Staveley and Ghodoussi seem to adore Howe, and have previously told The Athletic that they would like him to become a Sir Alex Ferguson type figure at St James’ Park, one who remains at the helm for many years.
Yes, results have dipped in recent weeks, but that doesn’t take away from all the 45-year-old’s excellent work since replacing Steve Bruce, including taking Newcastle to their first cup final since 1999.
After all, despite a bit of concern from fans over the recent results, Newcastle can still reclaim their place in the top four if they win their two games in hand over Tottenham, so it is hardly a disaster.
Hopefully, Howe is given time to carry out his project on Tyneside, despite the superb work of Spalletti at Napoli.
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