Sports
Newcastle can hire “best coach in the PL” to replace Howe
It has been a surprisingly poor season for Newcastle United in 2025/26. The Magpies had a brilliant campaign in 2024/25, qualifying for the Champions League once again, and, of course, lifting their first trophy in almost 60 years by winning the Carabao Cup.
However, things have not been as plain sailing under Eddie Howe this term. In 17 games in the Premier League, the Magpies have won six times, lost six times and drawn the other five.
They are currently struggling to claw themselves into the top half of the table, sitting 14th at the moment.
Their underlying numbers are certainly a lot worse than last season, too.
How Newcastle’s start to this season compares to 2024/25
There are a few reasons which could be factors in Newcastle’s struggles this term. They are certainly overburdened with extra football, at least eight games due to the Champions League, and have also been impacted by injuries.
However, it is a stark contrast when looking at some of their underlying numbers 18 games into this season compared to their memorable 2024/25.
Perhaps the obvious place to start is the points tally, with the Magpies on 29 points this time last season, compared to 23 this term.
Their goal difference, too, is a huge differential factor. It stood at +9 at 18 games into the 2024/25 season, but is at 0 in the current season.
Conceding goals has not been as much of an issue, with a difference in that department of just two goals.
However, scoring at the other end has taken a huge hit. This time last season, the North East outfit had found the back of the net 30 times in the Premier League, but that number sits at just 23 in the current campaign.
Howe needs to sort out the fortune of his team quickly, or Magpies owners PIF could be looking for a change of manager.
Newcastle could replace Howe with Premier League’s best
Newcastle’s owners are reportedly looking at other managers who could replace Howe. A report from The Mirror last month linked Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to the Magpies, who described him as an ‘admired man’ amidst the links.
The Spaniard, described as the “best coach in the Premier League” by journalist James Horncastle, has been exceptional as Bournemouth manager.
He’s got a positive record at the club, overseeing 40 wins in 105 games so far, and getting the Cherries to punch far above their weight in the last few seasons.
|
Iraola record at Bournemouth |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Number |
|
Games |
105 |
|
Wins |
40 |
|
Draws |
27 |
|
Losses |
38 |
|
Goals for |
166 |
|
Goals against |
160 |
|
PL points per game |
1.34 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
|
Iraola has certainly captured the imagination of the fans at the Vitality Stadium with his direct, vertical football.
This has seen certainly the Cherries become deadly in transition, a key factor in their success under the Spanish boss.
There has been no shortage of goals for the strikers at Bournemouth since Iraola has been in the hot seat. Dominic Solanke managed 21 in just 42 appearances under the Cherries gaffer before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, and Evanilson has already found the back of the net on 15 occasions.
If the 43-year-old was to replace Howe at St James’ Park, then that sort of form might transfer over to the Newcastle centre-forwards.
Yoane Wissa is a player who might profit from a move for Iraola.
He’s not had the easiest start to his career up in the North East, suffering from injury for the majority of it. Yet, he’s played six games now, chalking up one goal in just 143 minutes in that time.
His quality was particularly on show last season at Brentford. He is a true number nine, bagging 19 Premier League goals in 35 appearances, excelling with brilliant box movement and a direct nature on the ball.
It certainly feels like the 29-year-old could benefit from a system that brings centre-forwards into play so much. He could well be a plug-and-play striker under Iraola, ready to hit the ground running under a manager who has a track record of getting goals out of his number nines.
If they were to make the bold decision to sack Howe, Newcastle could do a lot worse than Iraola, who could improve the team’s fortunes and get Wissa firing.
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