Newcastle United has not enjoyed the best of Premier League campaigns, as they currently sit in 14th place in the table, nine points adrift of the league’s top five, which would be enough for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Struggles have led to speculation over Howe’s future
The team’s lowly position in the English top-flight table has inevitably raised questions about the future of head coach Eddie Howe. Noises coming out of the north east suggest that the former Bournemouth boss could soon be shown the exit door, if not during the current campaign, in the summer.
Howe joined the Magpies in November 2021, having exited Bournemouth in the summer of 2020 after eight years in charge. He was an instant hit as he dragged the team from strugglers into the top half of the table.
Since then, Howe has also guided the Magpies to fourth and fifth-place finishes in the Premier League, which have meant qualification for the Champions League. The north east team also won the League Cup in season 2024/25, ending a 70-year wait for a trophy.
Despite his previous achievements, the team’s performances have slipped in the 2025/26 season, resulting in their current position in the table. As is usually the case with underperforming teams, questions are asked of the head coach or manager. This is the case with Howe.
Howe has recently received the often-dreaded vote of confidence by Newcastle’s hierarchy, which doesn’t usually bode well for a manager’s future with a club.
Mourinho lined up as a replacement
A legendary former Premier League boss, Jose Mourinho, is now the favourite to replace Howe as Newcastle’s manager. Reports claim that the Portuguese boss has many admirers within the north east club.
Mourinho is regarded as one of the best head coaches of the Premier League era, having won the English top-flight title on three occasions. The Portuguese boss also enjoyed success in Spain with Real Madrid and Italy with the Milan giants Inter.
However, since leaving Chelsea in December 2015, the Portuguese boss has struggled for success, having managed Manchester United and Tottenham in the English top-flight, Roma in Italy, Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, and, in his current position, Benfica in his homeland.
The Eagles are in third place in the Primeira Liga table, and look unlikely to claim the Portuguese title this season. This could shape Mourinho’s opinion on leaving the club in Portugal’s capital and returning to England in the near future.
Doubts over Mourinho move
Mourinho’s recent lack of success has led some to doubt whether the Portuguese boss can still guide teams to success at the highest level. Many observers connected with the club claim it would be a risk to bring in the experienced former Chelsea boss.
Whether Mourinho is available in the near future will also depend on whether Benfica decide to keep him beyond the summer. He has recently said that the decision for him to stay with the Portuguese giants next season is not his, but the club’s.
Jose Mourinho replacing Eddie Howe at Newcastle would certainly be an interesting scenario, but whether