Michael Owen, the former Newcastle United striker and 2001 Ballon d’Or winner, has come out firmly in support of current Magpies manager Eddie Howe amid circulating reports that the club’s ownership is considering a managerial change.
Speaking in a recent interview, Owen expressed disbelief at speculation linking Newcastle to José Mourinho as a potential replacement for Howe, warning the club’s hierarchy against what he described as a “huge gamble.” “Oh, come on. The old merry-go-round again. I would prefer Eddie Howe by a million miles,” Owen said. “He’s there, in situ; he knows the area now; he knows the players; he’s a great coach; he’s young; he’s enthusiastic. To swap him for Jose Mourinho?”
The former Real Madrid forward credited Howe’s difficulties this season in part to the constraints imposed by Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which have limited Newcastle’s spending power in the transfer market. Owen’s defence of Howe comes at a particularly turbulent moment for the club, with Newcastle currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table and in real danger of missing out on European football altogether next season.
The contrast with their continental form has been stark. Despite a difficult domestic campaign, Howe’s side have performed impressively in the UEFA Champions League this season, adding a layer of complexity to any assessment of his tenure. That duality has done little to fully insulate the manager from mounting scrutiny over results in the top flight.
Howe’s standing at the club is not without foundation. He guided Newcastle to a fourth-place finish in the 2022/23 Premier League season — a historic achievement for the club and one that secured Champions League football for the first time in decades. That campaign remains a benchmark moment in the Saudi Arabian-backed ownership era at St. James’ Park.
Mourinho, meanwhile, is currently employed as manager of Portuguese giants Benfica, but according to reports, continues to attract interest from Premier League clubs. The 63-year-old Portuguese tactician has previously managed Chelsea on two separate occasions, as well as Manchester United, and retains a significant profile in English football despite his last Premier League role ending in December 2018.
Owen, who scored 30 goals in 79 appearances for Newcastle between 2005 and 2007 before joining Manchester United, has retained a close interest in the club’s fortunes. His comments reflect a broader debate among supporters and pundits about whether the Saudi-led ownership group would consider parting ways with a manager who, until this season, had broadly delivered on expectations.
With several Premier League fixtures remaining and Newcastle’s European ambitions still alive, the coming weeks are likely to prove decisive in determining Howe’s future at the club.
