After drawing 1-1 with Barcelona a week and a half ago, there was a hope that this season could yet end in memorable fashion for Newcastle United.
However, the last week has been rotten to the very core for the Magpies who, for starters, lost 7-2 against Barca in the second leg before Eddie Howe committed the biggest sin of all: losing to Sunderland.
The Mackems have done the double over Newcastle and it was Brian Brobbey who was on hand in the dying embers to ensure that the hosts’ winless run over their arch-rivals now extends to 11 games.
It begs the question: Is Howe the right man for the job? It’s been a rough week for the former Bournemouth boss and there is a sense that he may well have taken this team as far as he can.
Who could replace Eddie Howe at Newcastle?
Howe has been in the hot seat at St James’ Park since November 2021, and to his credit, has done an admirable job in the dugout.
The Englishman helped the Toon lift their first trophy for nearly 56 years, has established them as a regular Champions League side and has overseen a period of great change with the new owners coming in.
Yet, after nearly five years, it feels like time could finally be up for Howe. Not many sides will beat Barcelona this term but the way in which they capitulated in Spain was unacceptable. The way in which they lost to Sunderland was also unacceptable, particularly as they went ahead so early in the game. Anthony Gordon’s opener should have been a moment to rejoice and kick on. They did not do so.
As a result, alternatives could be sought. At the end of the current season, Oliver Glasner is due to leave Crystal Palace behind after a successful trophy-winning stint at Selhurst Park. Andoni Iraola’s contract at Bournemouth is also due to expire and he has been linked with Newcastle in recent months.
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While both have enjoyed success at their clubs, Iraola in a much different way to Glasner, you do sense that the project at St James’ could appeal to a higher calibre of manager, perhaps Unai Emery?
The Spaniard was PIF’s first choice when they first moved to the city and approached the former Arsenal manager, who at the time was in charge of Villarreal.
Newcastle ultimately pivoted to Howe, while Emery ended up at Aston Villa. So, with the Villans currently in the middle of a poor run of form themselves, could the Magpies come calling again? There is a sense that he might have achieved all he can in the Midlands, much like Howe on Tyneside.
Why Unai Emery would be such a good hire for Newcastle
Under similar circumstances, restricted by PSR, the 54-year-old has performed miracles at Aston Villa. When he replaced Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, they looked like a team heading back down to the Championship sooner rather than later.
However, the Spaniard has improved them tenfold and while he might not have won a trophy, they have been one of the most consistent sides in the Premier League over recent years.
Newcastle have finished 11th, fourth, seventh and fifth under Howe. Now, they sit 12th. Villa, however, have finished seventh, fourth, sixth and are now fourth in the table again. Consistently qualifying for Europe with a relatively small squad, Emery has looked like “one of, if not, the best manager in the Premier League”, in the words of defender Pau Torres.
It’s hard to disagree with that statement, really, particularly when you bear in mind his past accomplishments. While he was ultimately sacked by Arsenal after a disastrous stint in north London, he really comes alive at a club on the cusp of European football or winning silverware.
In Europe, he is a genius. He took Arsenal to their first European final since 2006 when they reached the Europa League final. Emery has seemingly mastered that competition, winning the competition in three straight years with Sevilla before taking it home with Villarreal in 2020/21 too.
Unai Emery honours won |
|---|
Europa League x4 |
Ligue 1 x1 |
Coupe de France x2 |
Coupe de la Ligue x2 |
La Liga manager of the month x3 |
PL manager of the month x3 |
Unlike Howe, the Spaniard has a history of regularly winning trophies and his recruitment is smart too. Newcastle have struggled in the market and the decision to invest in Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade as their Alexander Isak replacements speaks volumes.
Villa, on the other hand, have been a lot more pragmatic under Emery. Last January, they were able to secure European football by bringing in proven players in the form of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio.
Newcastle could not only do with his pragmatism in the market and talent ID, but they could do with his trophy-winning ability and his consistency. When it comes to managers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last decade, you won’t mind many who have been more consistent than Emery.
