He’d revive Gordon: Newcastle could replace Howe with “world-class” coach
da fezbet： On December 14, 2024, Newcastle United thrashed Leicester City 4-0 in the Premier League. The relevance of this result? It sparked an incredible run of form that drove Eddie Howe and his side toward a Champions League-qualifying finish and to gold medals in the Carabao Cup.
da wazamba： Preceding that win over Leicester was a 4-2 defeat at Brentford. United were at a low ebb, 12th in the standings and without a win in four.
Howe will look at that sharp upswing in form as motivation, seeking to get out of a rut once again this season. However, Newcastle feel a bit more hollow at the moment, offering very little on the road and lacking the connectivity that has typically been showcased over the past four years.
Technical director Ross Wilson has struck a positive working relationship with Howe since his appointment in October, but the English coach has yet to get a consistent tune out of his players this season, and it might be worth revisiting some candidates for the hot seat, should Wilson be called into a difficult decision in the weeks or months to come.
Howe's future at Newcastle
Howe has been at Newcastle for over four years now, and just look at all the Magpies have achieved in that time. Now a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League, they won the Carabao Cup last season too.
But the 48-year-old won’t be in the dugout forever, and his side’s startling drop-off this season has drawn a share of detractors who feel that change might be for the best.
While PIF remain firmly behind Howe at the moment, that could change if improvements are not quickly seen.
And if push comes to shove, Wilson may canvass a proposal to former Barcelona boss Xavi, who has been out of work since 2024 but led La Blaugrana to the 2022/23 La Liga title.
It was reported in November that the Catalan legend had been shortlisted by PIF amid poor Newcastle form that has not yet abated.
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace bosses Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner were also scouted, but both would be available only after a compensation package handed to the Premier League rivals.
The 45-year-old has said before that he “would love to work in the Premier League”, and Newcastle could offer him the bustling project he craves.
What Xavi would bring to Newcastle
Xavi is one of football’s most legendary midfielders, and he translated his wealth of knowledge to Barcelona’s coaching table after cutting his teeth as a manager in the Gulf region.
Typically implementing a 4-3-3 style of football that references the Barcelona brand of slick, tiki-taka passing, Xavi has been hailed as a “world-class” manager by journalist Maynard Manyowa.
At Newcastle, he would be able to start afresh, taking the reins of a club whose attacking qualities have been clear to see over the past several Howe-led years. The Spanish icon is skilled at weaving in a culture and promoting youth, getting the best out of the players at his disposal.
In this regard, he could be the perfect boss for struggling wingers Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, the latter joining from Nottingham Forest for £55m during the summer.
There is a trend there, and one that is none too pleasing for a Newcastle side simply unable to consistently fashion creative success for themselves this season.
Gordon, for example, has really struggled to perform in the Premier League, and perhaps a new vision, leaning further toward possession-based play, could prove a difference-maker.
Anthony Gordon for Newcastle (25/26)
Match Stats (* per game)
PL
UCL
Matches (starts)
11 (9)
6 (6)
Goals
2
5
Assists
0
2
Touches*
31.7
40.0
Shots (on target)*
1.6 (0.6)
2.2 (1.0)
Accurate passes*
13.9 (80%)
17.7 (81%)
Chances created*
0.8
0.5
Dribbles*
1.5
1.5
Ball recoveries*
2.2
3.5
Tackles + interceptions*
0.5
1.1
Duels (won)*
3.9
3.8
Data via Sofascore
It’s been a tale of two halves for Gordon this season, prolific and invariably dangerous in the Champions League, while toiling to no avail on domestic shores.
But he’s still a top talent, and with Xavi’s ball-playing system brought over to St. James’ Park, the rise in possession might actually give him a greater license to roam up the channel and find pockets to influence from.
Elanga was considered among the most exciting up-and-coming talents in the Premier League last season, and Gordon has shown at his best that he is one of the best wingers in Europe.
But perhaps they need a fresh take, and Xavi could give them that. They have already been picked out as perfect complementary forwards either side of Nick Woltemade, whose passing and link-up play differentiate him from the lion’s share of European forwards.
Just imagine Xavi and his maestro-like vision instilled on Tyneside. Howe has done fine work at the club, but if PIF do decide it is time for a change, this would be the perfect progressive appointment.
Howe must sell Newcastle star who "offered less" than Elanga vs Sunderland
Eddie Howe must now consider selling this Newcastle United dud after his terrible showing in the Tyne-Wear Derby.
ByKelan Sarson