Paul Merson has urged Chelsea to consider hiring Eddie Howe as their next permanent manager, describing the Newcastle United boss as a 'top manager' who would have clubs 'queueing up around the corner' if he becomes available.
Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior after just 106 days in charge, following a run of five consecutive league defeats without scoring – the club's worst such streak since 1912. Rosenior won only 11 of his 23 matches at the helm.
Academy coach Calum McFarlane has been appointed interim manager until the end of the season, when the club will appoint a permanent replacement. Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva are among the candidates being considered.
However, Merson believes Chelsea should set their sights on Howe, who led Newcastle to a fifth-place finish and the Carabao Cup trophy last season. This season has been more challenging, with Newcastle sitting 14th in the Premier League table after a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
'I'm a big fan of Eddie Howe,' Merson told Sky Sports. 'If Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle, they'll be queueing up around the corner for him. Be careful Newcastle. Chelsea would take him tomorrow morning.'
Merson added that Howe is a potential future England manager and has done enough at Newcastle to decide his own future. Jamie Redknapp echoed that sentiment, suggesting Howe may feel he has taken the club as far as he can.
Howe himself acknowledged that end-of-season talks with Newcastle's hierarchy will be 'slightly harder' this year after the team's poor run of form.
Whoever takes over at Chelsea will face a significant rebuilding job, with the club currently languishing in mid-table and out of European contention.
