An Italian journalist has claimed Newcastle United were in advanced negotiations with a Champions League manager who just missed out on a league title with his current team.
The Magpies have just finished their best season in living memory, winning the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.
Eddie Howe deserves a lot of praise for getting Newcastle United out of the slump they were in and bringing glory back to the club after so many years of agony. After the historic cup win, there were calls for Newcastle to build Howe a statue outside St James’ Park.
Additionally, Alan Pardew called Howe “immortal” after winning the Carabao Cup, a reflection of what it meant to many on Tyneside.
Simon Jordan named Howe his manager of the year for securing Champions League football and winning the cup. However, a journalist has shared the news that the Magpies were in advanced contact with a manager over a move to the club. He is involved in a huge game on Saturday evening.
- Who is Eddie Howe? The heroic manager who finally brought a trophy back to Newcastle United
Newcastle United held talks with Simone Inzaghi
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi has a lot on his plate currently. After missing out on the Serie A title to Napoli on the final day of the season, he now faces PSG in the Champions League final in Munich.
However, there have been reports about his future at the club, with the suggestion that he will join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal ahead of the Club World Cup.
Reports suggest there is an offer on the table for Inzaghi at the PIF-owned club, but Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri has stated that Newcastle have had “advanced contacts” with him.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, Palmeri said: “The situation is that Al Hilal offered him £25million per-season for two seasons.
“I can tell you that he had advanced contacts with both Newcastle and Tottenham but at the same time, the priority for him is to stay at Inter.”
The TalkSPORT report does add that these talks likely took place before Howe guided Newcastle to the Carabao Cup win and Champions League qualification.
Inzaghi would undoubtedly add more experience of winning trophies to Newcastle, the 49-year-old has won nine trophies in his career with Lazio and Inter.
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Was Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United future ever in jeopardy?
While the 2024/25 season has been one no Newcastle fan will ever forget, there was a time where it looked like the campaign was going to come to nothing.
In December, Newcastle found themselves 12th in the Premier League table, having lost 4-2 away at Brentford. It looked like Howe and his players were down and out, but that defeat sparked a sensational rise up the table which helped them secure Champions League football.
Around the same time, there was talk of Howe being sacked by Newcastle. Thankfully, club executives kept their faith in Howe and he delivered everything the fans were hoping for.
Club legend Alan Shearer never doubted Howe should be Newcastle manager even when they were struggling to pick up points.
Additionally, it would cost Newcastle £9m to sack Howe, so it is a huge risk which comes at a big cost.
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