- Jose Mourinho not likely for Newcastle
- Eddie Howe future uncertain
- Ex-Chelsea boss is currently in charge of Benfica
Newcastle United’s defeat to Sunderland and embarrassment in Europe prior to the international break have put Eddie Howe in a dangerous position, with some supporters asking for a change. One man who won’t be arriving on Tyneside is Jose Mourinho.
Chronicle Live reports that the Portuguese manager will not return to the Premier League, despite recent speculation that he could replace Howe. The Magpies have endured an underwhelming campaign, as they sit outside the top 10 in the league, and they are out of all cup competitions.
The report claims that the board are fully in support of Howe as he looks to save the season in the final few weeks. European qualification is still a possibility, albeit in the Europa Conference League rather than the Champions League.
Mourinho’s situation at Benfica
The legendary manager has had a love affair with the Premier League since arriving at Chelsea in 2004. He enjoyed two hugely successful reigns at Stamford Bridge, winning multiple league titles, before tenures in charge of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 63-year-old is currently managing Benfica, and they haven’t faced defeat in the Liga Portugal this season, although they find themselves in third. Reports from Portuguese news outlet O Jogo claim that there have been approaches from the Newcastle hierarchy in an attempt to bring him to St James’ Park.
There are also growing rumours of a break clause in his contract, which would allow him to leave the club for a lower fee before his contract expires in 2027. He’s been in charge at the Estadio da Luz since August 2025.
Howe will remain in his position as he looks to guide Newcastle back towards the European spots. That’s until the end of the season, and the club are expected to review the situation in the summer.
The English tactician faced a lot of criticism from the Toon Army for his team selection against the Black Cats before the international break. Malick Thiaw was dropped, and parts of the fanbase are annoyed by the defensive tactics being deployed.
Newcastle Need Someone Other Than Mourinho
There can be arguments made about whether Howe should be sacked, and both sides of the coin have valid points. If the Magpies decided it was the end of the line for the English boss, one manager they shouldn’t consider would be Mourinho.
Mourinho has earned a lot of praise for his time at Benfica, but in a league with only three established teams, it would be harder to drop outside it than inside it. While they are level on points with Sporting, they are almost 10 points behind the leaders, Porto.
Some Newcastle supporters who disagree with Howe’s approach to games would be displeased with the Portuguese manager’s tactical style, which is now famous amongst football fans.
Finally, there have been many cases where he has fallen out with players or higher-ups, which has not only cost the club during his tenure but also affected the club years after his departure.
While he continues to prove he can win trophies at any club he walks into, he is not a man to build a project around. Fans all around the world love him because of his character, but the Mourinho of today isn’t the same as he once was, and it could potentially wreck the work the Black and Whites have so far achieved.
