The suggestion from Roy Keane that Eddie Howe should be a target for Manchester United might have raised eyebrows, but it speaks to the enduring, magnetic pull of the Old Trafford hotseat.
The Post-Ferguson Reality: Not Obscurity, But Unmet Expectation
It has now been 12 full seasons since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and Manchester United have not won the Premier League in that time. Their average league finish in that period sits between fifth and sixth. While they have lifted the FA Cup twice, the EFL Cup twice, and the UEFA Europa League once, for a club of United's stature, it has been a spell of underachievement.
However, as sports writer Andy Dunn points out, this is not a tale of desperate obscurity. The context includes the rise of rivals like Manchester City, backed by immense wealth, and Chelsea under Roman Abramovich. Football's financial landscape shifted dramatically. Yet, the dissatisfaction among the fanbase is understandable, having gorged on success for so long.
The Undimmed Allure of the Manchester United Story
Despite the on-pitch struggles, the global institution that is Manchester United loses none of its compelling power. Over 70,000 fans still pack Old Trafford for an FA Cup tie, and their matches command a worldwide audience larger than any other English club.
This is why, for an elite manager with ambitions to leave a permanent mark on the game, an offer from United represents a once-in-a-career opportunity. The challenge of being the manager who ends the title drought and wins the club's first Premier League since Ferguson would secure an indelible place in its history.
Eddie Howe's Loyalty vs. The Ultimate Challenge
Eddie Howe is currently at a great club in Newcastle United, with passionate support and growing financial backing. He is known for his loyalty and has a contract with several years remaining. One would hope, and suspect, he would resist an approach.
But Manchester United is Manchester United. As the wait for a title extends to a 13th season, the mission to restore the club to the summit of English football becomes only more alluring. The successor to Ruben Amorim, who lasted just 14 months, must be from the cream of the managerial crop. Whether it is Howe or another, the role, often seen as a poisoned chalice since Sir Alex, remains one of the game's greatest honours.
