After finishing in the Premier League’s top four and qualifying for the Champions League, Newcastle United was expected to improve even more this season. But that hasn’t been the case, raising questions about Eddie Howe’s future despite an unfortunate injury crisis. According to recent reports, PIF could become an impressive substitute.
Eddie Howe’s future in the balance
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Howe is Newcastle’s long-term investment, with preparations in place ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer season. With the Magpies as low as 10th and 15 points behind the top four, and having crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages, it’s not surprising that concerns have been raised about the manager’s employment.
Now that Dan Ashworth, who appears to be on his way to become Manchester United’s sporting director, has left, sources suggest that PIF could start over with a new man in charge. According to Christian Falk of Sport Bild, Newcastle is interested in Julian Nagelsmann, who works for the same agency as Magpies defender Fabian Schar.
Given Schar’s recent contract renewal, PIF would have been in talks with the same representatives that handle Nagelsmann’s career. This might provide the two parties with a simpler path to negotiations.
The current Germany manager is allegedly undecided whether he wants to stay in command of the national team or return to club football for the first time since being fired by Bayern Munich last season, but the two sides’ recent links may help to ease tensions.
Still only 36 years old, the German is one of the most impressive young managers around, giving PIF a difficult decision to make at the end of the current season. With Ashworth now gone, and reports indicating that Howe’s job may not be as secure as previously thought, things at St James’ Park could shift drastically.
“Clever” Nagelsmann would be an upgrade on Howe
Nagelsmann is only 36 years old and has already managed at the highest levels in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. On paper, it would be a stroke of genius if Newcastle could bring the former Bayern Munich manager to St James’ Park this summer. That is not to claim Howe has performed poorly.
The former Bournemouth manager guided Newcastle to the top four, but he has battled to find the proper balance in his squad ever since, despite a roster riddled with injuries. Questions must be raised about whether Howe has gone as far as he can with the Magpies, potentially allowing Nagelsmann to take over.
The German, who prefers an explosive 4-2-3-1 shape, has gotten great accolades in the Bundesliga, particularly from Sky Germany’s Philipp Hinze. Hinze told Sky Sports: “He’s quite enthusiastic. He is still a youthful coach, but he was extremely young when he started at Leipzig and grew with the club.
“He’s quite enthusiastic, usually shouting ‘Vamos!’ after a goal or a major victory. He is smart, tactically sound, and technically proficient. And because of his age, he’s not 55 or 60, with a 30-year age difference from the other guys. He’s really good at staying in the minds of the players; he’s close to their age and understands them well.”
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