Eddie Howe is going through a very difficult spell as Newcastle United manager after massively overachieving last season.
The latest defeat to Arsenal was particularly big blow for Howe as his side looked completely out of their depth and struggled to deal with the host’s attack all evening.
Speaking on beIN Sports, Keys claimed that Howe won’t be at Newcastle for the long term and that the club could turn to either Thomas Tuchel or Jose Mourinho to take them to the next level.
Keys names two replacements for Howe at Newcastle
It’s not completely out of the question that Howe could be moved on in the near future if things don’t improve, but Newcastle have given no indication that they are considering somebody else at the moment.
Mourinho’s name has often been linked with the job at St James’ Park given his ties to Sir Bobby Robson, though there’s never been concrete rumours that they could offer him the role.
Tuchel, however, is a name that has not been mentioned given he’s been in such high profile jobs at Bayern Munich and Chelsea, but the 50-year-old is set to be out of a job when he leaves the Bundesliga giants at the end of the season.
Keys thinks both Champions League-winning managers would be suitable options for Newcastle to take over from Howe and push the Magpies into the next level of being an elite European club.
On Howe, Keys said: “It’s the manner of the defeat which ultimately will cost Eddie Howe. Is he capable of taking Newcastle to the next level? My answer is no, he’s not.
“With Tuchel available, with Mourinho floating about I think it’s a coach of that stature who will probably find his way to St James’ Park.”
Howe is now under more pressure than ever
There wasn’t much pressure placed on Howe at the beginning of the season given his successes by finishing fourth and a trip to Wembley that were still very much fresh in the memory of the owners.
Even when the results weren’t falling for them in Europe, there still felt as though there was absolute confidence in the 46-year-old to turn things around, especially when the injury crisis cleared up.
However, with most of the team now back and available for selection, there is a slight sense that Howe has to go on a good run of games if he really wants to prove that he’s the right man to take Newcastle into next season.
Playing Blackburn in the FA Cup and Wolves in the Premier League will be two key fixtures for Howe as two victories could put the team back on track to record a European finish and another good cup run.
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