Report: How close Liverpool really came to hiring Eddie Howe to replace Jurgen Klopp last year
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Liverpool lock horns with Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday in a big early season clash.
The Reds were not perfect during their opening day win over Bournemouth, but head into the match well-rested and ready for what the Magpies could throw at them.
Although there is likely to be extra tension in the stands as a result of the Alexander Isak transfer saga, Liverpool have a good record against Newcastle and should be confident of getting a result.
Newcastle did win the last meeting between the two teams, with Eddie Howe pulling off something of a tactical masterclass in March’s Carabao Cup final.
Howe proved himself to be an excellent manager once again, delivering the Magpies their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
And as he prepares to put his team up against Liverpool on Monday, it has been revealed how close Howe came to joining the Reds following Jurgen Klopp‘s exit in 2024.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
Despite being put in an almost impossible job following their arrival at the club in 2024, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards made the perfect choice for Klopp’s replacement.
Arne Slot had a debut season to remember, clinching an unexpected Premier League title to cement himself as one of the best coaches in world football.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
But before Slot emerged as the top candidate, there were plenty of names being bandied about as potentially being in the frame.
One of them was Howe, and according to a new report from The Athletic, Hughes and Edwards did indeed consider hiring their old friend at Anfield.
READ MORE: Liverpool fans think they know who will replace Alexis Mac Allister vs Newcastle after absence rumours
That they ultimately dismissed Howe’s candidacy is put down to two factors.
The first is reportedly that they believed the ‘strength of their previous association’ would be held against him.
Secondly, Hughes and Edwards reportedly felt it would be too difficult to get Howe out of Newcastle anyway.
As a result, the Toon boss joining Liverpool is said to have not got any further than being ‘briefly discussed.’
There is no question that Howe is an incredibly competent Premier League manager.
He showed that at Bournemouth and has furthered his legacy with Newcastle.
MatchesWinsDrawsLossesPoints Per GameEddie Howe vs Liverpool2222180.36
Nevertheless, whether Toon fans want to believe it or not, joining Liverpool is on another level completely.
Having failed to win a trophy prior to Liverpool’s hiring of Slot, Howe did not have the track record of the Dutchman, even if he had the Premier League chops.
As a good communicator and a clever tactician, there is a chance Howe could have made it work at Liverpool.
But it would have been a struggle to get the appointment on board with the fanbase, and it surely would have ended in tears all around.