Sources: Newcastle want 'world domination' as Eddie Howe replacement eyed up
Newcastle United's owners PiF have huge ambitions for the club and want to eventually recruit a stellar global name as manager, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking to Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, editor Wayne Veysey revealed that the Magpies are eager for "world domination" akin to Man City's success and want to be serial trophy winners domestically and in Europe.
Sources have also told Football Insider that links to multiple Premier League title winner Jose Mourinho are "concrete" and that the two-time Champions League winner is very keen on the job.
He is also not expected to be AS Roma boss next season and is making moves behind the scenes to indicate his interest in a move to Tyneside.
Sources have told Football Insider (5 January) that Howe is under huge pressure to keep his job at Newcastle following a dramatic downturn in results.
It is believed that the owners' expectations this season are to repeat the success of qualification to the Champions League.
That now looks increasingly unlikely in this campaign with Newcastle now ninth in the Premier League ahead of tricky fixtures this month against Man City and Aston Villa.
The Saudi ownership is keen long-term to have a big-name manager in the dugout at St James' Park and there are major reservations as to whether Howe fits the bill despite his immense popularity among the fanbase.
Newcastle have suffered a drastic slump in form in recent weeks and have lost seven of their last eight games in all competitions.
While injuries to significant first-team stars like Harvey Barnes, Nick Pope and Callum Wilson have been seen as mitigating factors, the hierarchy found shock losses to the likes of Luton and Nottingham Forest especially concerning.
Newcastle have slipped to ninth in the Premier League table and next face Sunderland in a highly anticipated FA Cup clash on Saturday afternoon (6 January).