- Newcastle United and Eddie Howe set for tricky few months
- Former Premier League striker ‘worried’ for the Magpies
- Charlie Austin worked under Howe at Burnley
Newcastle United’s defeat last weekend has added to the pressure on their manager, Eddie Howe, as the Magpies find themselves in 14th and still not mathematically safe from relegation after 33 Premier League games.
Former forward Charlie Austin played under the English manager during their time at Burnley in 2011. Austin believes Howe’s time at the club may come to an end this summer, but whoever steps in to take his place has a serious issue on their hands.
On Sky Sports, he said, “The manager that comes in, he’ll ask, are you going to sell my best players? I’m worried about them losing Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes.”
The Brazilian had interest from Manchester United last month, while Gordon looks to be a strong Bayern Munich target.
Charlie Austin on Newcastle United misfortune
It’s not just those two that have been linked with moves away, as Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento are both possible targets for other clubs.
After their defeat to Bournemouth over the weekend, the 48-year-old was questioned about his team’s fire, something Austin feels is a giveaway about the current climate in the dressing room.
The ex QPR man said: “He didn’t want to speak on behalf of them. You’re the manager and can speak on behalf of the dressing room. That was the pivotal moment for me, that he may walk away.”
Prior to the match against the Cherries, they found themselves ahead at Selhurst Park, but would lose the game after conceding twice in the second half, both from individual errors, something the 36-year-old picked up on.
Austin added: “I blame the players. I know the buck stops with the manager; they are his players, but if they are not fighting for him, then it has to be down to the players.”
He also claimed that due to their performances on the pitch, St James’ Park has become a shadow of itself.
He said: “St James’ Park used to be a terrible place to go for opposition players; now teams are going thinking they can take all three points.”
There has been confusion over the direction the club is taking, with CEO David Hopkinson originally not fully backing Howe, but his recent comments seemed to be in support of their manager.
Austin believes this disorientation is a major cause for their issues, and will continue if a new manager comes in.
He continued: “Is it the hierarchy that wants to control the football side and bring in someone who will just coach, and give him the players? Do they want to bring a ready-to-go manager who wants to take full control of it and give him the reins?”
“I don’t know what direction Newcastle want. One season they are brilliant and get into European competitions, and the following season they fall off.”
Mess in the structure
The former Premier League striker’s point rings true; it’s hard to see what the exact plan is when it comes to the board’s decisions and how they define success.
It’s been easy to point to their achievements before this season, but everything has seemed out of place, which has affected Howe this season.
The lack of planning and identifying targets last summer left them in a precarious situation once Alexander Isak left, and now the decision to either back or sack their manager is leaving fans bewildered.
If a new manager takes the hot seat at St James’ Park, will players force moves away from the club, and if so, will he be given the finances to introduce replacements even without European football?
It is a worrying period for the Toon Army as the direction of the club is caught in the crossfire of several members of the board who believe in their own personal strategies.
In other news, PIF set date for meeting with Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
