EDDIE Howe believes pressure on Premier League managers is greater than ever – as Manchester United reportedly prepare to axe silverware-winner Louis van Gaal.

The Red Devils are believed to be set to part ways with van Gaal – despite Saturday’s FA Cup final triumph over Crystal Palace – with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hotly tipped to replace the Dutchman.

Upon his departure from United’s hotel in London yesterday, van Gaal told Sky Sports reporter James Cooper “it’s over” before swiftly boarding the team coach.

United failed to qualify for the Champions League this season as they followed up last campaign’s fourth-placed finish by dropping a spot in the standings.

Should van Gaal head for the exit door, he would join a raft of bosses who have departed Premier League clubs in the past 12 months, that list including Mourinho, Roberto Martinez, Steve McClaren and Brendan Rodgers.

Cherries manager Howe feels the brighter spotlight on the modern game has resulted in pressure on those in the hot seat being ramped up significantly.

And the 38-year-old, the second longest-serving manager of a top-flight club behind Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, feels there are a number of reasons behind the rapid turnover of bosses.

Reflecting generally on the size of the task facing managers, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think there’s so much pressure with the money available at this point in the Premier League. There is a pressure from the owners and the powers that be that run football clubs to achieve and of course the supporter base wants that as well.

“Everything is highlighted so much by the media in terms of press conferences, the reaction to games and the phone-ins and those sort of set-ups can generate emotion and feeling and those feelings can build.

“It has built more than was the case 15 or 20 years ago where the mediums of communication between supporters were less obvious.

“All that has accelerated into reactions to results and in turn, pressure on managers.”

Asked if he would embrace those mediums of communication were he a supporter, Howe added: “I probably wouldn’t use any of the mediums but I would probably read them.

“It’s great for the fans and everybody bar the people in these seats!

“You are the one having to steer the club the way you see best and it is very difficult. Any past success and past glories are very quickly forgotten from both sides. I don’t look back at past successes, you are judged on what you do now and that is in turn pushing me on to try and achieve more.”

Cherries rounded off their maiden Premier League campaign with a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United last Tuesday, the match taking place two days later than scheduled due to a bomb scare at Old Trafford.