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Newcastle want “best coach in the PL” to replace Howe
Newcastle United attacker Anthony Gordon is still searching for his best form in the Premier League, as he has struggled in the top-flight this season.
The England international has only scored two goals and provided one assist in 16 appearances in the division, per Sofascore, after a return of six goals and five assists in the league in the 2024/25 campaign.
Gordon has scored five goals in six matches in the Champions League, per Sofascore, but he has been unable to translate that form over to the Premier League.
The England international plundered 11 goals and ten assists in the top-flight in the 2023/24 campaign for Newcastle, which shows that he can be a reliable performer at that level, but he currently looks a shadow of that version of himself.
Newcastle eyeing move for Premier League manager
One thing that could potentially help Gordon to get back to his best at the top end of the pitch is a change in management at St. James’ Park, with the club already eyeing a Premier League boss.
According to GIVEMESPORT, there is doubt over Eddie Howe‘s long-term future at Newcastle United because of two possible job openings in the summer.
The report claims that the English boss is being discussed as a possible replacement for Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, who will not be replaced by a permanent hire until the end of the season, whilst it states that Howe is also the leading contender to be the next England manager if Thomas Tuchel does not extend his deal beyond the World Cup.
GIVEMESPORT reports that Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is being tracked by the Magpies as a potential replacement for Howe, should he leave to take up a post with England or Manchester United.
It adds that the Spanish boss is under contract with the Cherries until the summer of 2027, though, which means that they would have to splash out on compensation if they want him to be their next manager.
Why Iraola would be perfect for Gordon
If Newcastle end up needing to replace Howe, Iraola could be a brilliant appointment, both because of his Premier League pedigree and how he could get the best out of the struggling Gordon.
First and foremost, whoever replaces Howe needs to be a good manager who can compete at the top end of the Premier League table with the squad that they have and the funds that PIF can provide.
Iraola’s time with Bournemouth so far shows that he is a terrific head coach in English football, as he took on a team that performed poorly under Gary O’Neill and has turned them into consistently impressive performers, as shown in the statistics below.
|
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth success |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
xPTS |
xPositon |
|
25/26 |
30 |
10th |
|
24/25 |
63 |
6th |
|
23/24 |
53 |
9th |
|
Iraola replaces O’Neil |
||
|
22/23 |
34 |
20th |
The Spaniard, who journalist James Horncastle, via John Brewin of the Libero podcast, claimed is the “best coach in the Premier League“, has also shown that he can get the best out of attacking players in his 4-2-3-1 formation.
Antoine Semenyo, for example, produced one goal and zero assists in 11 Premier League appearances for O’Neil in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign after his move from Bristol City.
The Ghana international went on to score 31 goals and provide 13 assists in 99 appearances under Iraola in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, before his £64m transfer to Manchester City this month.
Iraola, therefore, clearly got the best out of Semenyo, who signed off his Cherries career with a stunning winner against Spurs last time out, as a right-footed left winger who wants to cut inside onto his right foot.
Gordon, like Semenyo, is another right-footed dynamic left winger who looks to use his speed and technical ability to cause problems for opposition defenders, but it has not quite worked out for him this season.
Semenyo’s incredible success under Iraola, though, suggests that the Bournemouth manager could be the perfect hire for Newcastle to see the best of Gordon again on the left flank, which is one of the reasons why it could be a good appointment for the Magpies.
Newcastle in pole position to sign “exceptional” Brazil international
The defender, who has emerged as an exciting talent in recent years, would be a great addition for the Magpies.
