- Jose Mourinho becomes frontrunner for Newcastle United job
- Eddie Howe under pressure at St James’ Park
- Ex Chelsea manager took pay cut at Benfica
Newcastle United could save millions of pounds by appointing Jose Mourinho as manager this season as pressure builds on Eddie Howe.
The current Magpies head coach is set for crunch talks with PIF chiefs next week after a torrid run of form has seen European qualification next season become an outside possibility. Howe is determined to stay at the club and retains the board’s backing for now.
Speaking last week, the Newcastle manager said: “In terms of my fire, my fire is burning very, very strongly.
“That’s no guarantee from my side what’s going to happen in the future because the forces that move in football clubs move quickly. But my fire is there. There’s loads of wood stacked up and I’m ready to put it on it.”
Jose Mourinho linked with Newcastle United job
Several well-known names have been touted as potential replacements in recent weeks. AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola had been the frontrunner with the Spaniard confirming he will leave the Vitality Stadium this summer.
However, after Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior and have also been linked with Iraola, it is Jose Mourinho who has emerged as a frontrunner for the Newcastle job. The Benfica boss has been outspoken about a desire to return to the Premier League.
When in his previous role at Fenerbahce, Mourinho said: “I think the best thing I have to do is, when I leave Fenerbahce, I go to a club that does not play UEFA competitions.
“If any club in England from the bottom of the table needs a coach in two years, I am ready to go.
“I had three clubs in England, Chelsea twice, so in four different periods I’ve coached in England and I loved it. I’ve been so, so lucky to live in beautiful countries and beautiful cities like Istanbul, Rome, Madrid, Milan but my family lives in London. London is home so one day I want to be back, unless nobody wants me.”
Mourinho salary compared with Eddie Howe
With Newcastle struggling for European qualification, that could be the opportunity Mourinho is looking for. The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss would split opinion on Tyneside, the manager is now 63 years old and last led Chelsea to Premier League triumph 11 years ago.
However, with Newcastle under pressure to meet Premier League and UEFA financial regulations, Mourinho could work for a lesser salary than Howe. GiveMeSport report that the current Magpies boss is earning £6 million per year.
Meanwhile, The Mirror claims that Mourinho is pocketing just £2.6 million per year in his first season at Benfica, which is set to rise to £3.5 million next season.
When asked about the manager’s earnings, Benfica president Rui Costa said: “I’m not going to say the total amount, I’m not authorised to say how much he earns. Did you ask Sporting and FC Porto that question? A coach of this calibre comes at a price.
“I don’t think it’s right to say his salary on television. It’s a valuable contract. He’s not above what Roger Schmidt earned. I can give you that, but don’t ask me to say how much he earns.”
When quizzed on the £2.6 million figure, Costa replied: “It’s around that figure. It’s not a question of transparency or not; I don’t think it’s logical for the president of Benfica to disclose how much a particular person earns.”
“It’s the lowest salary José Mourinho has had since leaving Portugal. His desire to come to Benfica was one of the things that made me believe even more that he is the ideal coach for Benfica. He understood the reality of Benfica and that it was an election period.”
Of course, there is more money in the Premier League, and Mourinho would demand a more sizeable pay packet, but it does point to a head coach who is prioritising passion projects in the twilight of his career. An ex Premier League winner leading with his heart and lightening the wage bill may be a tempting option for Newcastle United.
In other news, Chelsea target Newcastle United star to replace winger after 3/10 Brighton stinker.
