- Eddie Howe’s rough period
- The manager and Newcastle United problems
- Newcastle and Eddie Howe’s future
Former Chelsea striker Pat Nevin has urged Newcastle United to give Eddie Howe ‘at least another season’ amid calls for him to lose his job. The derby defeat to Sunderland has caused huge frustration among fans, raising concerns.
The whole of March has been a double-edged sword for the Magpies, with notable victories against Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League. However, they crashed out of the FA Cup and Champions League, losing to Manchester City 3-1 and Barcelona 8-3 on aggregate.
Moreover, with the Tyne-Wear Derby at St.James Park also not going as planned, a 90th-minute Brian Brobbey finish sealed the game 2-1 for the visitors.
Despite all these results and unrest among supporters, the board has not taken any action. So this means the owners have huge summer plans with the English manager at the helm.
Nevin Backs Howe
Nevin gave his thoughts on the current situation regarding Howe’s future as Newcastle boss. He reflected on the defeat to Sunderland that leaves the Magpies’ hopes of European qualification in jeopardy.
The Scottish pundit wrote on BBC Sport:
”The calls for Eddie Howe’s head will grow, but I still think he should be given at least another season. One without European football would look very different and probably more successful for his overstretched squad.”
Howe has been in charge since November 2021 and wrote his name into the club’s history books. He oversaw a League Cup win last season, ending a 70-year wait for a major trophy.
The Eddie Howe situation
All the good memories at St. James Park faded and turned to jeers on Sunday’s final whistle. This is the first time Eddie Howe’s Newcastle has entered a crisis since joining four-and-a-half years ago. Currently 12th in the Premier League, their hopes of Europe hang by a thread.
That said, the Conference League is still in sight, as they are four points behind eighth-placed Everton. This downfall also exposes the players who have lost composure in possession, costing the team 22 points from winning positions.
Howe’s side have only managed five clean sheets in the past 36 games, exposing the leak in defense. Additionally, the rotation between Ramsdale and Nick Pope in goal all season, along with the team’s exhausting, high-energy style, explains the burnout.
Howe’s choice of winger Anthony Gordon as a first-choice centre-forward over £69 million signing Nick Woltemade has raised eyebrows. Despite the record signing scoring 10 goals in all competitions, the boss believes his lack of speed and strength is a problem. Yoane Wissa, the £55 million summer signing from Brentford, scored 19 goals last season, but rarely shows intent in the game for his new colours.
The English manager has transformed Newcastle into a top team. During his time, he won the Carabao Cup, ending a 70-year trophy drought. So, the club believes giving ‘Another Season’ would be the right thing to do.
What’s the future for Newcastle and Eddie Howe?
After the Sunday loss, a leaked message from Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson surfaced and he vowed for the club to overcome a difficult period (via Chronicle Live):
“It hurts us because we care, it’s adversity, and adversity does not define us, it reveals us. There’s a great quote from Vince Lombardi [the legendary former American football coach]; it’s not whether or not you get knocked down, it’s how you get up.
In support of the manager, he added:
“So we will have a tough day, and then we’ll get up. We’re building something very real here. That journey is not a straight line. Yesterday feels heavy, and it is, but that’s ok, we won’t carry it for very long. Our enthusiasm and our conviction will remain undiminished.”
With Howe’s side dropping out of Europe, the fatigued Magpies can get some much-needed rest. The Middle East war has led to the cancellation of a planned squad break in Dubai this week.
A Europa League or Conference League qualification is the best to hope for. Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimarães, and Gordon will be sold this summer, while veterans Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schär may also depart. Wherever they finish in the league, a summer rebuild is on the horizon.
