Man Utd next manager talk shows Newcastle reality of market amid Eddie Howe pressure

As Newcastle United's downbeat players trudged down the Stamford Bridge tunnel after the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, social media was awash with debate over just where it is all going wrong for the Magpies - and whether Eddie Howe can weather this current storm.

Chronicle Live understands Newcastle's hierarchy are not quite as far along as some frustrated supporters who believe a change of manager would be the best course of action. The club's majority owners, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund [PIF], are determined to give Howe time to steady the ship.

As Monday morning arrived, a sacking occurred elsewhere in the Premier League as Manchester United relieved Erik ten Hag of his duties at Old Trafford. The Dutchman was given the boot after one win in eight, with former Newcastle chief Dan Ashworth a key player in the decision making behind the scenes in the red half of Manchester.

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Talk now turns to who could replace Ten Hag in the Red Devils' dugout. His assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in charge on a temporary basis but isn't thought to be a long-term contender for the role.

Luckily there are plenty runners and riders, with vast experience and impressive CVs, and Newcastle's chiefs may well be keeping one eye on who is in the running for the Old Trafford position if the worst is to happen and Howe proves unable to turn things around in the coming weeks.

After all, a big argument, for many, of keeping the Newcastle boss in his place is due to the limited options who could realistically replace him. A look at the initial favourites to replace Ten Hag offers a good indication of who would likely be considered for any vacant role on Tyneside.

Ruben Amorim, who guided Sporting Lisbon to a Portuguese title last season and has the club top of the table with nine wins from nine, is the current favourite to take the job if Van Nistelrooy isn't handed the position on a full-time basis. Another key player is former Barcelona midfielder, and manager, Xavi who is currently enjoying a sabbatical before plotting his next move.

Other big hitters from the continent include Zinedine Zidane, who is still out of work and consistently linked with the Manchester United job whenever it becomes available. Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is also in the running.

Closer to home, Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna are prominent in the betting markets due to their previous connections to the club. Brentford boss Thomas Frank and out of work Graham Potter are another two in contention.

Former England boss Gareth Southgate, who has close ties with Ashworth, is the most likely Brit to take the job, according to most bookmakers, while Howe is way down the pecking order.

One very interesting contender is former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic. Recently linked with replacing Julen Lopetegui at West Ham, the German coach showcased his talents in the Champions League last term, guiding his side to final after beating Newcastle both home and away.

It's safe to say there are plenty of high profile options out there should the St James' Park hierarchy decide to take the club in a different direction in the coming weeks or months. Howe retains the backing of the board but the fixtures don't get any easier in the next month and Newcastle have endured an uncharacteristic five-game winless run at present.

Howe has a tremendous track record when it comes to overcoming these minor blips, as we have seen at certain intervals of his Newcastle tenure. The much-loved boss needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat again to fend off any interest in some of those who prove unsuccessful in landing the Manchester United job.