Jose Mourinho odds slashed to seal Premier League return, he’s now joint-favourite

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Credit: Imago Thu 16 April 2026 9:15, UK Jose Mourinho has emerged among the favourites to be appointed by Newcastle United amid the pressure on Eddie Howe’s job.The Englishman has led a hugely disappointing season, with the Magpies out of all of the cup competitions and currently 14th in the Premier League. Jose MourinhoBenfica (2025-current)Wins24Draws8Losses8Scored73Conceded32Sunday’s late defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace was the third consecutive loss, and the fifth time Newcastle have failed to win across their last six games.Howe’s side were humiliated in the Champions League by Barcelona, losing 7-2 at Camp Nou, and were smashed out of the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup by Manchester City.Luckily, the closely-packed nature of the middle of the Premier League means a good run of form could see Newcastle still finish in the top half.But the problem is that there appears to be little chance of that happening, with the Magpies struggling for consistency throughout the campaign.Should Howe be sacked, one major bookmaker has slashed Mourinho’s odds of taking over from 4/1 to 2/1 in recent hours, making him the favourite alongside Andoni Iraola.Mourinho has already given his answerMourinho’s Benfica travelled to St James’ Park in October for a Champions League group-stage game.

Speaking before the game, he said: “I don’t regret [not managing here] because I never had a chance to. Never close (to the manager’s job).

There was a lot of media talk but I was never contacted by Newcastle, never. I wouldn’t change Benfica for any club in the world.”Should Newcastle be knocking on Mourinho’s door this summer, however, that answer may well change.