Manchester United legend Roy Keane has publicly backed Newcastle United's Eddie Howe to become the next permanent manager at Old Trafford, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Amorim's Departure and the Immediate Fallout
Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties as Manchester United boss on Monday morning, January 8, 2026, after just 14 months in charge. His exit came after a reported falling out with the club's hierarchy, particularly football director Jason Wilcox.
Amorim's tenure had been under severe pressure for over a year due to disappointing results. Former player Darren Fletcher took temporary charge for the midweek 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley and will remain as interim boss for the upcoming FA Cup tie against Brighton.
The club is now expected to appoint a caretaker manager until the season's conclusion, with Fletcher, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Michael Carrick all considered for the short-term role. A permanent successor will then be targeted for the summer.
Keane's Clear Choice for the Future
Weighing in on the situation, former United captain Roy Keane left no doubt about his preferred candidate. Speaking on Sky Sports, he explicitly endorsed Newcastle's Eddie Howe for the role.
"Who would I go with? I would go with Eddie Howe," Keane stated. "I like him, I like what he's doing, his teams play good football. I like what he's done at Newcastle and Bournemouth."
Keane praised the 48-year-old's calm demeanour, suggesting it is a quality United desperately need. He also highlighted Howe's tangible achievements: leading Newcastle to their first major trophy since 1955 by winning last season's Carabao Cup, and securing Champions League football for the club.
"I would be happy to see Howe go in there," Keane added. "They need someone to go in there and get a grip on these players and make the team hard to beat." His view is shared by other ex-United stars, with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt also recently mentioning Howe as a potential candidate.
Howe's Firm Commitment to Newcastle
Despite the mounting speculation linking him to the vacant United job, Eddie Howe has swiftly reaffirmed his loyalty to his current employers. When asked about the rumours this week, the Newcastle manager insisted his focus remains entirely on the Magpies.
"Nothing has changed from my perspective," Howe asserted. "I'm 100 per cent here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff... It's about today's work and trying to prepare the team."
He emphasised that his commitment is unwavering as long as he can work effectively at St James' Park. This public declaration will be a relief to Newcastle fans but does little to quell the inevitable speculation that will surround one of the Premier League's most respected coaches until United make their appointment.
The search for Amorim's successor marks another critical chapter for Manchester United as they seek stability and a return to the pinnacle of English football.
