Rumors of Jose Mourinho wanting the Newcastle United job just won’t go away, but Eddie Howe remains firmly in charge at St James’ Park. Since his arrival in 2022, Howe has accomplished a lot, from ensuring Premier League safety to guiding the team to a cup final and securing Champions League qualification. With the club on an upward trajectory, there’s every reason for Howe to continue leading this progress, and it would be a major error for PIF to consider replacing him.
When Thomas Tuchel accepted the role as England manager, Newcastle fans felt reassured that Howe wouldn’t be lured away by the FA. However, despite Howe’s stable position, others are eyeing the Newcastle job.
On November 8th, The Guardian reported Mourinho’s interest in taking over at Newcastle if the opportunity arises. Mourinho, aiming for a return to English football, has requested to stay informed about potential managerial openings at the club. The timing was notable, as it coincided with Howe’s three-year anniversary at Newcastle and a strong league performance, with the Magpies just a point behind third place, making the notion of a managerial change seem unwarranted.
Supported by PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Howe has the complete confidence of Newcastle’s leadership, who are reportedly bewildered by the rumors of Mourinho’s interest. According to The Athletic, there’s no search underway for a new manager, nor any desire to pursue Mourinho. Swapping Howe for Mourinho would likely be a setback, not an upgrade.
While Mourinho’s profile could create a media frenzy and he has a personal connection to the club due to his ties with Sir Bobby Robson, he’s not the elite manager he once was. His current role at Fenerbahce in Turkey, rather than competing for Champions League titles in Europe’s top leagues, reflects this.
It’s easy to see why Mourinho is drawn to the Newcastle project, which has the backing of PIF and ambitions to compete for major honors. If he’s serious about returning to English football, Newcastle may be the most prominent club he could aim for. However, Newcastle’s owners and supporters remain fully committed to Howe, who, in their eyes, is the “special one” they need—Mourinho is not in their plans.
