The winds of change are blowing through Tyneside, and for the first time in years, the air feels heavy with uncertainty. Newcastle United, a club that recently tasted the rarified air of the Champions League, now finds itself in a period of concerning stagnation.
With only a single victory in their last eight outings across all competitions, the credit Eddie Howe built up during his transformative early years is beginning to dwindle. The Magpies currently languish in 12th place, a staggering 11 points away from the top-four spots that the club’s ambitious owners crave.
While the board has preached patience, the brutal reality of football is that results dictate destiny. If the hierarchy decides that a fresh perspective is needed to revitalize the project at St James’ Park, the rumor mill is already churning out several high-profile candidates. Based on the latest projections and shifting sentiments, here is a look at the seven frontrunners potentially lined up to take the reins.
Leading the pack is a man who has ironically mastered the very job Eddie Howe once held. Andoni Iraola has become the bookmakers’ favorite, and it is easy to see why. The Bournemouth manager has earned a reputation for tactical bravery and an ability to punch well above his weight.
Despite the Cherries operating on a fraction of Newcastle’s budget and selling key assets over the last year, Iraola has kept them competitive and progressive. His current contract is set to expire this summer, making him a highly “gettable” target without the need for messy compensation battles.
High-ranking officials at Newcastle are said to be enamored with his modern approach to pressing and transition play, seeing him as the perfect architect to modernize the Magpies’ aging tactical framework.
Following closely behind is Oliver Glasner. The Austrian tactician is expected to depart Crystal Palace at the conclusion of the current campaign, and his availability has immediately put him on Newcastle’s radar. While the spark at Selhurst Park has dimmed slightly in recent months, Glasner’s overall body of work is impressive, including a trophy-laden spell that proved he knows how to navigate the pressure of a knockout competition.
His extensive experience in European football is a major selling point; Newcastle wants a manager who doesn’t just reach the continent but understands how to win there. Glasner represents a safe yet ambitious pair of hands for a club with massive financial backing.
In terms of pure Premier League reliability, few can match Marco Silva. The Fulham boss is arguably the most underrated manager in the English top flight. Since guiding the Cottagers back to the big time in 2022, he hasn’t just kept them afloat; he has turned them into a side capable of upsetting anyone on their day.
With his contract also nearing its end this summer, Silva might feel that he has taken Fulham as far as he can. A move to Tyneside would offer him the resources to finally compete for major honors, a challenge that a coach of his tactical intelligence would likely relish.
For those looking for a “box office” appointment, the name Xavi Hernandez stands out. The legendary midfielder has been out of the spotlight since leaving Barcelona in 2024, and he has never hidden his fascination with the English game.
He has often spoken about the raw passion of the Premier League, contrasting it with the sometimes clinical and result-obsessed nature of Spanish football. Bringing Xavi to Newcastle would be a statement of intent, potentially opening doors to a new market of technical players. While there are always risks associated with a manager who hasn’t worked in England before, the sheer prestige he brings could be the catalyst needed to restore the club’s global standing.
Further down the list of candidates is Kieran McKenna. His work at Ipswich Town has been nothing short of miraculous, turning a team in the doldrums of the lower leagues into a free-scoring, tactical juggernaut. At just 39 years old, McKenna represents the “new wave” of coaching talent.
While some might argue that Newcastle is too big a step at this stage of his career, others see a visionary who could grow alongside the club. His stock is currently high, though it remains to be seen if he would leave his project at Ipswich for the volatility of a high-pressure job like Newcastle.
| Candidate | Current Club/Status | Style of Play | Key Strength |
| Andoni Iraola | Bournemouth | High Press | Tactical Innovation |
| Oliver Glasner | Crystal Palace | Solid/Balanced | Cup Experience |
| Marco Silva | Fulham | Progressive | PL Reliability |
| Xavi | Unattached | Possession-based | Global Prestige |
| Kieran McKenna | Ipswich Town | Attacking/Fluid | Youth Development |
Another name that refuses to go away is Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian left a lasting impression on the Premier League during his time at Brighton, where his eccentric and highly specific tactical demands turned the Seagulls into one of the most entertaining teams in Europe.
Currently at Marseille, his win ratio remains strong, but rumors of friction behind the scenes in France have led to whispers of an early exit. De Zerbi is a volatile character, but his ability to transform a team’s playing style overnight is exactly what some fans believe Newcastle needs. He is a high-risk, high-reward option who would certainly ensure that life at St James’ Park is never boring.
Finally, there is the wildcard entry of Ruben Amorim. After a high-profile but ultimately brief and difficult stint at Manchester United, Amorim has kept a remarkably low profile. While it might seem unlikely that Newcastle would move for a manager so recently scarred by a “Big Six” failure, his success in Portugal cannot be ignored.
He is a builder of teams and a master of the three-at-the-back system. While he sits at the bottom of the favorites list for now, he remains a high-quality option if the club decides to go in a completely different tactical direction.
Ultimately, Eddie Howe still holds the keys to his own destiny. However, the shadow of these seven individuals looms large. The coming weeks will be a true test of whether Howe can stop the rot, or if Newcastle’s ambitious owners will decide that the time has come to pass the torch to one of these tactical specialists. The goal remains a return to Europe, and the margin for error has never been thinner.
