Andoni Iraola in sudden pole position for Newcastle job amid dramatic Eddie Howe sack news
Andoni Iraola has suddenly emerged as a shock favourite to take over at Newcastle United.
After his side failed to win for the ninth consecutive game on Saturday, Iraola is under pressure at Bournemouth.
The Cherries were beaten 4-1 by Brentford, and are in some danger of being dragged into a potential relegation scrap.
The situation is not much better up north, with Newcastle losing 1-0 to Manchester United to go a third consecutive Premier League game without victory.
Newcastle fans have been voicing their frustration with Eddie Howe, as he continues to fail in his attempts to fix his side’s woeful away form.
Odds slashed as Eddie Howe comes under intensifying pressure
Football Insider were told this week that Iraola could leave Bournemouth sooner than expected, as he assesses his options.
The Spaniard was hired in 2023, and, despite a difficult start, led his team to a record-breaking season.
The Cherries had recorded their club-record Premier League points return with 48, and, under Iraola‘s guidance, they broke it again by finishing ninth on 56 points last season.
| Andoni Iraola | Bournemouth |
| Wins | 40 |
| Draws | 27 |
| Losses | 38 |
| Scored | 166 |
| Conceded | 160 |
The start of this season promised more progression, with Bournemouth losing just one of their opening eight games.
Since then, however, Iraola’s side have lost five of their last nine, with some starting to question the 43-year-old’s position.
The same can be said of Howe at Newcastle, where fans have begun to grow frustrated with their team’s inconsistency.
The Magpies qualified for the Champions League last season but have gone backwards, winning just six of their opening 18 Premier League games.
Odds on Howe becoming the next Premier League manager to depart were slashed to 15/2 after Friday’s defeat to Manchester United, with Scott Parker still leading the sack race (3/1) according to one major bookmaker.
Andoni Iraola emerges as favourite for Newcastle United job
Should Bournemouth take what would likely be a controversial decision and sack Iraola, he would be considered the front-runner for the Newcastle job.
The Spaniard would appear a perfect fit for the project at St James’ Park, representing a young and progressive head coach to lead a young squad.
Should he become available, a decision may well be triggered at Newcastle, where there is a sense that decision-makers could be growing frustrated with Howe as well.
One major bookmaker has Iraola at 4/1 odds of being named as the next manager of the Magpies, with Oliver Glasner (5/1) and Xavi (11/2) the other main contenders.