Newcastle United are quietly preparing for every possible scenario as speculation grows around the future of Eddie Howe, with reports suggesting the club are keeping a close eye on Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola.
While Newcastle remain very happy with Howe and the work he is doing alongside his trusted assistant Jason Tindall, the reality of modern football means contingency plans are always in place, especially when a manager’s reputation continues to rise.
Howe’s name is now being mentioned in connection with some of the biggest jobs in the game. He is understood to be among the managers discussed internally at Manchester United following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, and there is also strong admiration for him within the England setup.
With Thomas Tuchel’s contract running until the end of the upcoming World Cup, Howe is viewed by some as a natural successor should that role become available.
This combination of club and international interest has inevitably forced Newcastle to think ahead, even if there is no desire to see Howe leave.
In that context, Iraola has emerged as a standout option. The Spaniard has built an excellent reputation in difficult circumstances at Bournemouth, earning widespread praise for both his tactical intelligence and his ability to improve players.
At just 43 years old, he is already seen as one of the most progressive coaches in Europe. Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe has gone as far as describing him as the best young coach in the world, a label that reflects how highly his work is rated across the game.
Iraola has been in charge at Bournemouth for two and a half years and has consistently delivered results that outweigh expectations. Operating on a modest budget compared to most Premier League sides, he guided the club to a ninth-place finish last season and, for a long stretch, had them competing for a top-four position. His team played with intensity, bravery, and physical power, making them one of the most uncomfortable opponents in the league.
What makes his work even more impressive is what Bournemouth have had to deal with off the pitch. Over the past year, the club has lost several key players to Europe’s elite.
Dean Huijsen departed for Real Madrid, Ilia Zabarnyi moved to Paris Saint-Germain, Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool, and winger Antoine Semenyo recently completed a £65 million transfer to Manchester City. Losing that level of talent in such a short space of time would derail many teams, yet Bournemouth continue to compete.
Despite those setbacks, they currently sit 15th in the Premier League, a position that looks respectable given the scale of the changes to the squad. Iraola has accepted that Bournemouth operate as a selling club, but there is a sense that his ambition may eventually push him toward a project with greater long-term stability.
Constantly rebuilding after losing star players can only take a club so far, no matter how gifted the coach.
Newcastle are not the only side monitoring his situation. Tottenham and Manchester United are also believed to be admirers, though there are doubts about whether Iraola would see either job as the right fit at this moment.
Tottenham, in particular, are going through a period of uncertainty following changes at boardroom level and inconsistent performances on the pitch. That instability could make the role less appealing, even if it comes with a high profile.
There is also an emotional pull that could yet influence Iraola’s future. Athletic Bilbao, the club where he spent 12 years as a player, may soon be looking for a new manager.
Current head coach Ernesto Valverde is under increasing pressure after a disappointing run of results domestically and in the Champions League. A return to his boyhood club would be hard for Iraola to ignore if the opportunity arises.
For Newcastle, the situation is delicate but controlled. The club have no intention of forcing change and would prefer Howe to continue building on the progress already made.
The football has been competitive, the squad has grown in belief, and the long-term vision remains intact. However, elite clubs plan for every outcome, and identifying someone of Iraola’s calibre shows the level of thinking now in place behind the scenes.
If Howe does stay, Newcastle will feel confident they have the right man leading them forward. If circumstances change, they want to be ready. Iraola’s rise, built on courage, intelligence, and results against the odds, makes him a natural name to consider.
For now, it is a watching brief rather than an active pursuit, but it underlines how Newcastle now operate with ambition, foresight, and quiet confidence.
