Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe could be under pressure at St James’ Park after an inconsistent first half of the season, and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is likely to be the frontrunner to join the Magpies if he leaves the Cherries.

Howe doesn’t appear to be under any immediate pressure of being sacked, but there’s no doubt his side need to show plenty of improvement. Their away record will be a major concern for the hierarchy, winning just once on the road in the Premier League this season.

The North East outfit currently find themselves sitting in 13th position in the table, nine points adrift of the top four. Newcastle are still in with a chance of climbing into the European places, but Howe and his side need to sort out their away form quickly.

Iraola to be Frontrunner for Newcastle Job

According to a report from Football Insider, Iraola is expected to be the frontrunner to take over at Newcastle if Bournemouth opt to sack their manager. The Cherries are enduring a difficult time in the Premier League this season and currently sit in 15th position, but thankfully for them, they have built a cushion between them and the relegation zone.

Iraola, who Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe told GIVEMESPORT is the ‘best young coach in the world’, has been described as the ‘perfect fit’ for the Magpies, due to being a ‘young and progressive’ coach for their young and talented squad. If the Cherries do decide to get rid of Iraola any time soon, then it’s claimed that it could lead to Newcastle making a decision on Howe, with the Bournemouth boss then becoming available.

Newcastle Have a Tough Decision to Make

Newcastle have an incredibly tough decision to make when it comes to whether they stick by Howe, or opt to make a change in the coming weeks. There’s no doubt Howe has built up plenty of credit in the bank at St James’ Park, but their owners will be desperate to be competing at the top end of the league, rather than in the bottom half.

Iraola has proven to be an exciting, up-and-coming manager who is capable of overperforming with clubs, despite Bournemouth’s disappointing season. The Cherries lost a host of key players in the summer transfer window, and if he were placed in charge of a side like Newcastle, or regularly spend handsomely in the transfer window, he could go to the next level.