Newcastle sacked Steve Bruce two weeks ago but have yet to locate his replacement. Their takeover by Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media means they’ll have significant funds to spend in January, so some big names were linked with the vacancy.
Newcastle narrowed their shortlist to Villarreal manager Unai Emery and former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, but Emery has since rejected their approach and committed his future to Villarreal. Howe is now their No.1 target, but fans on social media aren’t too enthusiastic about it.
Howe has managed Bournemouth (2008 – 2011) (2012 – 2020) and Burnley (2011 – 2012), presiding over 543 matches in all competitions. After winning promotion to the Premier League with Bournemouth in 2015, Howe had five consecutive seasons in the top-flight.
Fans are unsure whether he’s the right manager because he never surpassed 46 points in any of those five seasons despite spending £255m on 34 players. Many of Bournemouth’s most expensive acquisitions flopped under his management too, so Howe was criticised for failing to get the best from those players.
The Newcastle hierarchy clearly believe he’s the right option, however, so time will tell whether he ends up replacing Steve Bruce.
In other news, fans react as Unai Emery rejects Newcastle offer to replace Steve Bruce
