Newcastle United are well-protected when it comes to manager Eddie Howe with an eye-watering eight-figure compensation package in place amid speculation linking him with top clubs
Manchester United have been told they must pay a staggering compensation clause if they want to make Eddie Howe their new manager.
Ruben Amorim was sensationally sacked as head coach at Old Trafford on Monday after his extraordinary rant following the draw at Leeds. Amorim sent a blunt message to the United board in his post-match press conference and has been dismissed the following day.
United have taken immediate action after the 1-1 draw at Elland Road, sacking Amorim after 14 months in charge. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who is currently the under-18s coach, will take charge of the team for their Premier League game against Burnley on Wednesday night.
Attention has already swiftly turned to who could replace Amorim. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner emerged as the early favourite with bookmakers, while former England boss Gareth Southgate was 5/1 in the early betting.
Howe, the Newcastle United manager, has been linked with the job in the past and is understood to have admirers still at Old Trafford. Newcastle, however, have moved to protect themselves in case of a move for the 48-year-old.
With Howe believed to be earning approximately £6m annually and having a minimum of three years remaining on his existing contract, any potential suitor would need to fork out a massive eight-figure sum to secure his release. This doesn't even factor in the substantial cost required to tempt away Howe's trusted backroom staff including Jason Tindall, Steve Purchess and Simon Weatherstone.
When Amorim's role came under scrutiny back in October, Chronicle Live questioned Howe about his dedication to the Tyneside club.
"I'm all in (at Newcastle)," Howe declared when quizzed about connections to the Manchester United position in October . "My commitment here is 100% here and always has been. My family is still here, and we are fighting every day to make a success of what we are doing.
"The season ahead could be a wonderful thing, and that is what we are trying to focus on, trying to make a success of the games we have coming up."
Mirror Sport believes that Newcastle received no formal approach from Chelsea regarding Howe, whilst Liam Rosenior prepares to assume control of the Blues following his arrival from partner club Strasbourg. Magpies chiefs will also fight tooth and nail to keep the manager at St James' Park.
Sporting director Ross Wilson said: "We have got an outstanding manager here, and from past experience, I'd certainly rather have one that other people might like rather than one that nobody likes."
Howe had been touted for the England position in 2024 before Thomas Tuchel got the nod. The FA didn't pursue their interest despite widespread speculation following Gareth Southgate's departure.
Reports from Germany suggest that Tuchel will step down from the England role after the World Cup, irrespective of how things pan out in the US. Whether Howe's name enters the frame for the international position at Wembley once more is yet to be determined.
For the time being though, the head coach sees his future firmly planted in the dugout on Tyneside. Consecutive victories have silenced doubters, with Howe describing the coming weeks as crucial.
Newcastle's destiny in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup will be determined whilst they face their final two Champions League group stage fixtures against PSV Eindhoven and Paris St-Germain, hoping to secure either direct qualification or a play-off spot come spring.
Club owners PIF are eager to see Newcastle earn Champions League qualification through the Premier League once more following last term's fifth-place finish.