When Eddie Howe arrived at Newcastle United, the Magpies were limp and winless.

Most fans would have been delighted to find out in December that the only influence they would have had on relegation on the final day of the season was to send another team down. Despite being in the relegation zone for much of the first half of the year, Newcastle United finished a staggering 14 points clear of the drop.

Yet, according to Rio Ferdinand, it won’t be enough for him to keep his job. In a segment for his Vibe with Five channel covered by Geordie Boot Boys, the former England defender was of the belief that Newcastle would be “moving him on.”

He also tipped them to go for one manager in particular. Following the sacking of Steve Bruce, Newcastle were ready to hand over the keys to Unai Emery, currently of Villarreal. The Basque manager considered an offer and eventually turned it down, but Ferdinand believes that Newcastle will be back in for him soon.

Whether Emery will change his mind now remains to be seen, having guided Villarreal to an historic second Champions League semi-final this season. Although the Newcastle project must be an attractive one for managers, it’s unlikely Villarreal would look too kindly on Emery considering another offer.