Stan Collymore can see Jose Mourinho returning to the Premier League to take over at Newcastle United if Eddie Howe finds his position under threat.
Nothing epitomises the fickle nature of modern football more than Eddie Howe’s position at St James’ Park becoming the subject of much debate.
Howe may have exited the Champions League and European football as a whole following Wednesday’s 2-1 home defeat to AC Milan but lest we forget it was he who took Newcastle United there in the first place.
Former England international Collymore, however, feels it is only a matter of time before some rather awkward questions are being asked about Howe’s future.
And Roma boss Jose Mourinho, he adds, is the man Newcastle may need to take the club to the next level, and snap that lengthy silverware drought.
Is Eddie Howe under pressure at Newcastle United?
“Jose Mourinho makes the most sense to take over as the next manager of Newcastle,” Collymore, who famously scored a 92nd minute winner against The Magpies for Liverpool back in 1996, tells Caught Offside.
“Fans of the club love Eddie Howe. But, the more that I think about it, it makes even more sense.”
Collymore highlights Mourinho’s long-time admiration for Newcastle, his connection with St James’ icon Sir Bobby Robson, and his very public flirtation with Saudi Arabian football, the Public Investment Fund the driving force behind the rise in power of both Newcastle and the Saudi Pro League.
“They get a big-named manager for Newcastle who can lure quality players and has had success at the highest level. He spends around two years at Newcastle and then heads off to the Saudi league, a country where he recently said he will work someday,” Collymore adds.
“It turns into a scenario where Mourinho, the Saudis, Newcastle and Mendes all win.
“We are not a million miles away from (Mourinho being linked). Newcastle fans might not want him because of the style of football but if you are the head of PIF, it makes a lot of sense.”
Jose Mourinho admires The Magpies
Newcastle won just one of their six Champions League group-stage games, even if that was a 4-1 hammering of Paris Saint-Germain. Howe is also on a run of three successive defeats. Newcastle suffered heavy losses away to Tottenham and Everton while falling seven points adrift of the top-four.
“Eddie Howe’s stock is still quite high, considering where he has taken Newcastle from,” Collymore argues. “(But) if The Magpies don’t qualify for the Champions League this season, it wouldn’t surprise me if they sacked him.
“The Saudis are here to win. They got into the Champions League faster than expected, which is great. However, you need to stay there. And there is a good chance that they won’t qualify for the competition through the Premier League this season.”
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