What Howe could bring to Man Utd – and what are the challenges?
Eddie Howe has been out of work since leaving Newcastle United in the summer
By
Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent
Published
30 October 2026, 16:23 GMT
Updated 2 hours ago
When Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a co-owner of Manchester United in 2024, much of the narrative centred on his desire to rebuild the club around a British core.
Given the expense of buying homegrown players, and the difficulties Michael Carrick – the first permanent British managerial appointment of the Ineos era – has faced this season, perhaps Ratcliffe is rethinking.
But if Carrick fails to stop the rot and loses his job, United are already considering the merits of appointing another British coach – albeit one who is more experienced.
That Eddie Howe is a contender for a job that remains one of the most high-profile in world football isn’t hard to fathom.
Speak to those who have worked alongside Howe and they describe a man whose track record of improving players is a direct result of his relentless approach on the training field.
They will also tell you Howe is someone who places an unwavering importance on the methodology of setting a winning culture.
Howe may lack experience at one of the traditional top-six clubs, but his body of work at Bournemouth and Newcastle is impressive.
Having been appointed Bournemouth boss with the club facing relegation from League Two in January 2009, Howe led them to the Premier League in 2015. He went on to establish the Cherries as a top-flight club before leaving – for a second time – in 2020.
In 2021, Howe was appointed Newcastle manager. He led them from relegation trouble to qualification for the Champions League on two occasions and won the EFL Cup – the club’s first trophy in 56 years – in 2025.
