Eddie Howe has reportedly turned down the chance to take the Crystal Palace job, with Pierre Sage on the brink of leaving Selhurst Park after just five months. Manchester United remain keen on the former Newcastle United boss, who is still on a career break.
Compensation and United's Interest
Howe is essentially still being paid by Newcastle until the end of the season, and any interested clubs must pay compensation for his services, believed to be around the £3 million mark. With Manchester United still sticking by Michael Carrick for now, it is understood that the Red Devils were quoted a seven-figure fee which must be paid by Newcastle to allow the Carabao Cup-winning boss to take up his next job.
Howe left St. James' Park back in July after telling the board he'd taken the club as far as he could just weeks after a refreshed transfer policy had kicked in. It is believed that Howe did not have overall control of a summer spend that saw the Magpies sign Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur.
Previous Rejections and Next Move
Last month it was suggested that Howe turned down the chance to take on the job at Champions League club Lens, who parted ways with Dino Toppmoller in September. With Man United still thought to be keen on Howe, his next move will be an intriguing one and it remains to be seen whether he ends up in the away dugout at some stage at St James' Park this season.
After leaving Newcastle, Howe said in July: "After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United."
"After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break."
"Although it's been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it's the right one."
"I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I've been here and this one is no different."
"It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United."
Fresh reports in the Sun say that Howe turned down a recent approach to take over at Palace with the 48-year-old still believed to be on a career break.
