Newcastle sent warning by perfect Eddie Howe replacement

Newcastle sent warning by perfect Eddie Howe replacement: 'I'll say it openly...' One of the favourite coaches of 's Saudi owners has publicly admitted that he could soon make himself unavailable for club management. Eddie Howe's position at the helm of the Magpies came under significant scrutiny last season. The club regressed compared to 2024/25, when they won their first trophy in decades and qualified for the Champions League, and the summer signings were disastrous. The 48-year-old was certainly let down by club chiefs and their inability to replace sporting director Paul Mitchell when he departed the club ahead of the transfer window, but even with this caveat, Newcastle's on-pitch performances were simply not good enough. Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League and are currently faced with an exodus of star players. Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have already been sold, and captain Bruno Guimaraes is keen on a move to Arsenal. Although Newcastle have already done a fair bit of business, there are once again shades of last year, with the club having seen deals for key targets Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi hijacked. This isn't making Howe's job any easier. Howe under pressure The former Bournemouth boss is facing a make-or-break season now. Things were bad last term, but a sacking always appeared to be a longshot given the success of the previous campaign. However, Howe won't get away with it again in 2026/27. It is difficult to imagine the Saudi bosses sticking by him if the team is once again in the doldrums come Christmas. Indeed, that internal support for the coach isn't anywhere near as unanimous as Newcastle would have us believe. Sources have repeatedly reiterated to us that senior Public Investment Fund figures believe that bringing in a more high-profile manager is necessary to help Newcastle get to the next level. In that context, the Carabao Cup win in 2025 was actually undesirable for the PIF because it massively strengthened Howe's position. Sacking him within 12 months of the club's biggest success in decades would have been a hugely unpopular decision. One of the PIF's preferred replacements for the 48-year-old has always been former Barcelona boss Xavi. The Spaniard was previously desperate for a Premier League job, but because of the success of Howe, there was no opening for Newcastle to make a move. Xavi could turn his back on club management Xavi has now been out of a job for two years, and the right project still hasn't presented itself. This has now seen him suggest that he could turn his back on club management altogether and pivot to international coaching. In quotes relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Xavi admitted that he is attracted by the possibility of coaching a team while still having time to spend with his young family. "Coaching a national team would suit me well on a family level," he explained. "A club wouldn't allow me to spend as much time with my family, as I have young children. I'll say it openly: it would suit me. I'm eager to participate as a coach in a World Cup, a European Championship, an Africa Cup of Nations, an Asian Cup. "What I would like is a good project, a project where we can work in peace and quiet." Xavi ruling himself out of contention for the Newcastle job would certainly be good news for Howe.