- Jose Mourinho frontrunner for Newcastle United job
- Chelsea sacking of Liam Rosenior has knock-on effect
- What ex Chelsea and Man Utd boss said about Premier League return
Ex Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is now favourite to take over from Eddie Howe at Newcastle United, should the current Magpies head coach be sacked.
Howe is under intense scrutiny on Tyneside after four back-to-back losses across all competitions. A derby day defeat to rivals Sunderland at St James’ Park was followed up with dropped points against Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth.
Newcastle now sit 14th in the Premier League table with hopes of European qualification fast fading, and the Champions League appearing out of reach, with five matches to play. Should Howe not find an uptick in form, starting at Arsenal on Saturday evening, he could be given his marching orders – a meeting with PIF chiefs in Newcastle is booked for next week.
Several high profile candidates have been touted as potential replacements for Howe, ahead of a summer that looks set to be a merry-go-round for managers. Oliver Glasner has confirmed that he will leave Crystal Palace and is one name linked, while Marco Silva is also out of contract at Fulham.
AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has also confirmed that he will leave the Vitality Stadium at the end of his contract this summer. The Spaniard, who led his team to victory over the Magpies last weekend, had emerged as the number one contender to replace Howe.
Andoni Iraola lined up to be next Chelsea manager
However, the runnings have changed over the past 24 hours after Chelsea took the decision to sack Liam Rosenior following a 3-0 defeat to Brighton in midweek. A club statement read: “Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Liam Rosenior.
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club.
“Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season.
“This has not been a decision the Club has taken lightly, however recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season. Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future.”
The decision at Stamford Bridge also means another high profile Premier League club are in the market for a new manager. Chelsea confirmed that a ‘process of self-reflection’ would now begin before another long-term appointment.
In the hours after that decision, Iraola has emerged as the frontrunner to be appointed at Chelsea with odds of 2/1. Iraola is very well respected in the division and could work in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge – should interim boss Callum McFarlane ensure the Blues qualify for the tournament.
Jose Mourinho now frontrunner for Newcastle United job
That could come as a blow for Newcastle. Indeed, since Rosenior was sacked, Iraola has slipped from the frontrunner position to second behind Jose Mourinho.
The current Benfica boss has been linked with the Magpies in recent weeks but Iraola remained the bookies’ first choice candidate. Mourinho won three Premier League titles at Chelsea, as well as the Europa League at Manchester United.
When at Fenerbahce previously, the manager had hinted at a return to the UK, in words which could point to the Newcastle job being exactly what he wanted.
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.”
In other news, Ally McCoist stunned by Newcastle United’s £75m transfer demand.
