Newcastle identify title-winning manager who will be available this summer to be Eddie Howe replacement

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Newcastle United have identified a new possible candidate to take over from Eddie Howe should he leave the club.

The pressure is piling on Howe to perform and his future could very much depend on how he does in these final 10 Premier League games.

Should things go disastrously wrong, HITC are reporting that Newcastle have a new big name option lined up as a potential replacement for the 46-year-old head coach.

Howe feeling the pressure at Newcastle

This season started out so promising with Newcastle entering the Champions League for the first time in two decades and spending big money in the summer on players who were expected to have a big impact.

However, with just 10 games remaining and Newcastle out of all other competitions, Howe finds himself in a tough situation where he could end up in the bottom half of the league.

While the feeling is that Newcastle’s board are willing to be patient with the former Bournemouth man, there’s a possibility they could target Barcelona boss Xavi in the coming months as he is set to leave the Spanish club at the end of the season.

Having won the La Liga title with his former side last season, Xavi feels it is time to move on to a new challenge, and both Newcastle and Chelsea are showing interest in the 44-year-old currently.

Newcastle eyeing a number of candidates

Despite showing complete faith in Howe to turn this poor run of form around, Newcastle have been linked with a number of high profile managers in the last few months.

The biggest links has of course been Jose Mourinho due to his ties with Sir Bobby Robson and his adoration for the club which he has often mentioned in interviews.

However, there have also been others like Germany head coach Julian Naglessman, who is also expected to find a new club after the European Championships this summer, as well as Roberto Mancini in recent weeks.

Whether they actually pursue a move for one of these coaches could well depend on if Howe is able to keep Newcastle competing in these final 10 games.

While unlikely, you’d expect if Newcastle were to fall any lower than 11th, especially with the run in they have, then serious questions would have to be asked of the boss.