Newcastle United goalkeeper could follow Eddie Howe out of St. James' Park: report

Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, shows dejection during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton. — Eddie Howe isn't the only Newcastle man who could leave this summer. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle's Odysseas Vlachodimos, currently on loan at Sevilla, could follow Eddie Howe out the door from St. James' Park this summer.

Newcastle's shot-stopper, now one of Sevilla’s brightest sparks in a struggling season, is reportedly content in Spain and appears unlikely to return to the Magpies.

Sevilla are currently 16th in the La Liga table, merely two points above the drop zone, but Vlachodimos’ performances arguably warrant a far higher table position.

Sevilla’s Greek shot-stopper and Eddie Howe could both exit Newcastle this summer

Odisseas Vlachodimos of Sevilla FC looks on during the LaLiga match between Sevilla FC and Atletico de Madrid. — Vlachodimos is loving life in Sevilla despite the Spanish side's fall from grace over the years, standing out as one of the team's brightest sparks. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Similarly to Sevilla, Newcastle have bore witness to a dramatic fall from grace this season under current manager Eddie Howe.

After Carabao Cup victory over Premier League champions Liverpool and Champions League qualification in the 2024-25 season, Newcastle are currently placed 14th.

The trophy on the pitch after the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium. — Newcastle United have fell from Carabao Cup glory to midtable mediocrity, a descent matched by Sevilla in the 2020s. (Image credit: Getty Images)

In both domestic cups, Howe’s men fell to a still imperious Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City side, losing 3-1 in the FA Cup and 5-1 on aggregate in the Carabao Cup.

Sevilla’s descent has been slightly less immediate but far more intense over the years, falling from 4th to 12th in the La Liga table positions between 2022 and 2023.

The once great Spanish side has continued to drop, finishing 14th in the 2023/24 season then avoiding relegation by just one point during their 2024/25 campaign.

The points gap separating Sevilla from the relegation zone has grown slightly this year, largely due to the supreme abilities of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

The 31-year-old ranks sixth for the most goals prevented in La Liga while averaging almost three saves per game, stopping Sevilla’s defensive woes from translating into relegation.

Eddie Howe manages Newcastle United during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match between Newcastle United and Manchester City. — Eddie Howe's job is under serious threat, with Jose Mourinho being touted as a possible replacement should Real Madrid look elsewhere. (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to a report from Estadio Deportivo, Vlachodimos is settled in Spain and the hope is for him to remain a Sevilla player next season, despite there being no purchase option in his loan move from Newcastle.

Antonio Cordon, Sevilla’s director of football, stated in recent weeks that the intention is for the Greek goalkeeper to stay within their ranks and that the club is hopeful it will happen.

If Vlachodimos is to depart, he would likely join Eddie Howe whose job is under threat after a disappointing season at St James’ Park.

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Kedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC, he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television, you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.

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