Newcastle United could reportedly step up their interest in Julian Nagelsmann if they decide to part ways with head coach Eddie Howe this summer.
Howe was appointed as Steve Bruce's successor in November 2021 and was the catalyst behind the club's meteoric rise following the completion of their Saudi-backed takeover.
Within the space of 18 months, Newcastle swapped relegation battles for Champions League nights under the tutelage of Howe, who successfully steered the North East outfit to a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
Howe also led Newcastle to their first Wembley final since 1999 as they progressed to the EFL Cup showpiece event, but the Magpies were unable to win their first major trophy since 1955 as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United.
This season, Newcastle have been hampered with injuries and have found it challenging to juggle domestic and continental duties during a hectic fixture schedule.
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Within the space of six days in mid-December, the Magpies were eliminated from Europe altogether after finishing bottom of their Champions League group before losing on penalties to Chelsea in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Newcastle have since endured a disappointing run of form in the Premier League, winning three, drawing two and losing seven of their last 12 games, and have subsequently slipped to 10th in the table, 15 points behind the top four and seven points behind the top six.
Although Newcastle have progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals, their top-flight form has led to speculation over Howe's future, and according to Bild journalist Christian Falk, the Magpies have identified Germany national team boss Nagelsmann as a potential replacement.
Following the sacking of Hansi Flick in September last year, Germany appointed Nagelsmann as their new head coach ahead of hosting Euro 2024 this summer.
The 36-year-old signed a short-term deal that will expire at the end of the tournament, which is scheduled to conclude on July 14.
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Falk states that Nagelsmann, who is represented by the same agent as Newcastle defender Fabian Schar, is yet to decide if he wants to return to club management or extend his contract with Germany.
Nagelsmann's last job in club management was with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, but he was sacked in March 2023 after only 20 months at the Allianz Arena, despite losing just 10 of his 84 games in charge.
The Bavarian-born boss had previously taken charge of Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, and despite his dismissal from Bayern, he is still widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in world football.
Nagelsmann has been tipped to manage in the Premier League ever since he left Bayern, and Liverpool have allegedly added him to their shortlist as they continue to search for a successor to Jurgen Klopp, who will step down from his post at the end of the season.
