Jose Mourinho tipped to secure shock Premier League return

Tom Weber

• Updated: 16 Dec 2023 10:28 GMT
• 3 min read

Jose Mourinho is the obvious choice to replace Eddie Howe at Newcastle United, according to Stan Collymore.

The Magpies boss finds himself under pressure after his side's Champions League collapse that saw them finish bottom of their group and crash out of Europe altogether. Despite Newcastle being ravaged by injuries this term, some believe that Howe is still underachieving given the money spent since the Saudi takeover of the club.

It really has been a strange season for Newcastle. They find themselves in 7th in the Premier League, having beaten Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal, while losing to the likes of Everton and Bournemouth. Sacking Howe would be a shock - and it likely wouldn't go down well with the supporters - but it is something that may be considered given the ambitions of the Saudi owners.

According to former Liverpool player Stan Collymore, Jose Mourinho would be an ideal candidate to replace Howe. The Portuguese previously coached Chelsea, Man Utd and Tottenham in the English top flight and is currently in charge of Roma in Serie A, though his contract is up at the end of the campaign.

What did Collymore say?

“Jose Mourinho makes the most sense to take over as the next manager of Newcastle," Collymore told CaughtOffside. "Fans of the club love Eddie Howe, but the more that I think about it it makes even more sense."

“The Portuguese coach had a great relationship with Sir Bobby Robson, he has always talked fondly about Newcastle and most importantly, he is represented by Jorge Mendes. The superagent has a lot of players in the Saudi Pro League and there is a situation there for the Saudis where they are getting two or three things for the price of one."

“They get a big-named manager for Newcastle," Collymore continued, "who can lure quality players and has had success at the highest level; he spends around two years at Newcastle and then heads off to the Saudi league, a country where he recently said he will work someday; Mendes then banks on both ends so it turns into a scenario where Mourinho, the Saudis, Newcastle and Mendes all win.”