Eddie Howe is the reported frontrunner to take over at Manchester United should Michael Carrick be sacked, despite having previously ruled out the job while at Newcastle United.
Howe left St James' Park in July and is currently unattached. His name now leads the race to succeed Carrick, whose position at Old Trafford looks increasingly precarious after a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday.
United's struggles under Carrick
This season, Carrick's squad have won just once in the Premier League - a 5-2 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich Town - and faced Bournemouth on the back of a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League.
The defeat to the Cherries appeared to be the final blow for the Englishman, who left the pitch to applause from fans seemingly resigned to his departure. No decision has been made on his future, with crisis talks held on Monday, but it is anticipated he will leave one way or another.
Howe's earlier stance
When Ruben Amorim was sacked by United in January, Howe was asked whether anything could tempt him away from Newcastle, with the Chelsea job also vacant after Enzo Maresca's exit.
Asked if anything would tempt him away, Howe replied: "No… Not at this current time. I am very happy at the moment and hopefully that stays for a long time. Absolutely nothing has changed from my perspective. I am one hundred per cent here."
Almost seven months later, Howe stepped down as Newcastle boss, citing personal exhaustion, with squad turnover and behind-the-scenes tension also likely contributing to his resignation.
Howe's track record
At Newcastle, Howe orchestrated two Champions League qualifications and ended their 70-year domestic trophy drought, lifting the 2024/25 Carabao Cup. His CV also includes two spells at Bournemouth, where he guided them to Premier League stability and oversaw three promotions in five seasons from League Two to the top flight.
Carrick was eventually made United boss permanently after taking over as interim in January and overseeing a third-place Premier League finish. Liam Rosenior was appointed by Chelsea and sacked after 106 days, with Xabi Alonso now installed. Howe, now a free agent, finds himself linked with United once more as Carrick's exit looms.
