At a glance
- United legend claimed in January that Howe should join United
- Newcastle boss amongst others in running
- Magpies sit in 12th following disappointing season
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It was only last summer that rumours speculated that Thomas Frank should be the successor to Ruben Amorim following the 15th-place finish last season. Instead, Manchester United decided to keep Amorim – before sacking him in December.
At that same time, Newcastle United were flying high with manager Eddie Howe. The Magpies finished fifth, qualifying for the Champions League. In January, United legend Roy Keane claimed that he wanted Eddie Howe to become the permanent manager at Old Trafford.
Speaking in January, Keane said:
“I’d go with Eddie Howe. I like him. I like what he’s done. He’s managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they’ll play good football. He has his critics, but I like what he’s done at Newcastle.
He added: “He’s managed seven or 800 games. He’s still a young man. I love his calmness. Maybe Man Utd need a little bit of that.
Interestingly, on the type of manager he’d want at Old Trafford, he said:
“We’ve seen with our previous [appointments], we like people with emotions, but he’s got that calmness. The job he’s done at Newcastle, Champions League and winning a cup, I’d be happy to see him go in there.”
Keane and his Contradictions
This is the same personality archetype that current boss Michael Carrick has, the same ‘calmness’ in him. Yet, Keane’s opinion on him is much harsher. Speaking at the end of January, the former midfielder said:
“So Michael Carrick is going to be the manager of Man United? He hasn’t got enough experience. I don’t think he’ll have enough football knowledge.”
He added:
“I’m not saying Michael Carrick can’t be a top manager, but the timing for him to be manager of Man United in the summer? I don’t see it.”
So far, Carrick has proven him wrong on all fronts. Keane’s opinion is just one of many disgruntled, bitter ex-United legends who thrive on the negativity surrounding the club. The positive environment and results around the club have kept many of them out of the spotlight in recent months.
Newcastle Woes Make Howe Unfeasible For United Job
Combined with Keane’s opinion on Howe being the eventual successor, his opinion truly falls flat at this moment in time. Football is an ever-changing world, but it looks unlikely that Howe seems a feasible option for the job.
Newcastle have faced several struggles this season. They suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss to Barcelona, on aggregate which dumped them out of the Champions League.
On Sunday, they lost to rivals Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby. It handed Howe a double derby defeat this season, having previously lost 1-0 to the Black Cats in December.
Moreover, they face losing some of their biggest stars next summer. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes have both been linked with a move to Old Trafford, whilst Anthony Gordon could move to Liverpool.
Should Carrick not be chosen as the permanent boss, he may find himself actually replacing Howe at the Magpies if the current trend of results continues. Perhaps this ill-fated opinion can set a precedent for former United players not to speak too much on matters pertaining to the Red Devils.
