Jose Mourinho, current Fenerbahce head coach, is positioning himself as a top contender for the Newcastle United job should Eddie Howe step down. With a storied past in the Premier League – managing Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham – Mourinho sees Newcastle as a promising opportunity to return to England’s top flight.
According to a report by The Guardian, the Portuguese manager joined Fenerbahce only last summer following his departure from Roma but has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with Turkish football.
In an explosive post-match rant after Fenerbahce’s 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor, Mourinho expressed frustration with refereeing decisions and criticized the Turkish league’s appeal on the global stage.
“Nobody abroad wants to watch the Turkish league,” he remarked. “Why should they, when they have the Premier League, the French league, the German league, the Portuguese league, the Dutch league?”
Despite his grievances, he assured Fenerbahce fans of his commitment, adding, “It’s too grey, too dark, smells bad. But that’s my job, and I will give everything to my job, to my club.”
Mourinho, who has previously connected with Newcastle’s chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan, has reportedly informed intermediaries of his interest in the role, keeping an eye on any developments at St James’ Park.
After three years in charge, Eddie Howe has led Newcastle to a position of stability and steady progress, though the club’s 11th place in the Premier League has not fully met the high expectations of the club’s Saudi owners. A challenging start to the season saw a winless run of five games, but recent back-to-back victories over Chelsea and Arsenal have renewed optimism.
“I’m so pleased with how it’s going and to still be here,” Howe said on marking his third anniversary at the club. “We’re still dreaming. The one thing we haven’t achieved yet is a trophy – that’s still the dream driving us every day.” Howe also outlined a target for European qualification as a primary goal this season.
However, behind the scenes, there have been changes. Last summer saw the exit of influential directors Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, and sources report growing tension between Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell, who joined in July.
Mourinho’s visible unrest at Fenerbahce stems not only from on-field decisions but also from his frustration with Turkish football’s global image. His commentary on the league’s limited international reach has fueled speculation that he is eager to find a more prestigious platform for his coaching talents.
During Manchester United’s recent trip to Istanbul for a Europa League fixture, Mourinho was reportedly seen reconnecting with former English colleagues and journalists, hinting at his intention to return to the Premier League spotlight.
Amid budget constraints tied to profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), Newcastle was forced to sell several young players, including academy product Elliot Anderson, now playing for Nottingham Forest. Howe expressed disappointment over losing Anderson, whom he believes has the potential to represent England internationally under coach Thomas Tuchel.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, Elliot can play for England in the future,” Howe said, calling PSR rules “incentivizing the sale of academy products” counterproductive.
As Newcastle United seeks a European berth and a potential trophy, Eddie Howe remains committed, but Mourinho’s interest has added intrigue to St James’ Park, signaling that the Premier League’s managerial carousel could turn once again.
