Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the team's defeat in the Premier League match between Brentford and Newcastle United at Gtech Community Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Brentford, England.placeholder image
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the team's defeat in the Premier League match between Brentford and Newcastle United at Gtech Community Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Brentford, England. | Getty Images
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has shown his support for head coach Eddie Howe amid a ‘mini crisis’ at the club.
Newcastle United are in a ‘mini crisis’, according to former goalkeeper Tim Krul.
The Dutch goalkeeper made 184 appearances for The Magpies between 2006 and 2016 after progressing through the club’s academy. He announced his retirement from professional football earlier this year.
But his connection with Newcastle remains strong as he was asked about the club’s current situation during an appearance on Sky Sports.
NUFC ‘mini crisis’
Newcastle sit 14th in the Premier League after 11 games with 12 points on the board and 11 goals scored. Eddie Howe’s side are just two points above the relegation zone with over a quarter of the season played.
After Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford ahead of the September international break, Krul delivered his verdict on his former club so far this season.
He Sky Sports: "They are a couple of points off the relegation zone, so does this feel like maybe a mini crisis for the club? Yeah, of course, but I think the people in charge know the task at hand for this season.
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A good run in the cup competitions has contrasted with Newcastle’s poor Premier League form. The Magpies have won each of their last three matches in the Champions League, scoring nine goals without conceding.
They’ve also advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup for a fourth successive season with comfortable wins over Bradford City and Tottenham Hotspur. Howe’s side will be looking to retain the trophy, having beaten Liverpool to end a 70-year domestic trophy drought back in March.
In six cup matches in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, Newcastle have won five and scored 16 goals in the process. It’s helped soften the blow of the poor Premier League form while also making it all the more frustrating.
"In the Premier League they need to kick into gear and I think the wingers, the midfielders, they have to start chipping in their goals,” Krul added. “Injuries, they are massive obviously, suspensions, I think the [Tino] Liveramento, Lewis Hall, have been really, really a big miss for this team.
“There's not been that attacking threat from the full-backs coming up, so there's reasons why there's been some kind of issues at the club at the moment but Eddie will be the first one to admit that domestic form has to improve."
Tim Krul shows support for Eddie Howe at Newcastle United
It’s been four years since Howe was appointed Newcastle head coach and in that time he has steered the club away from relegation danger in emphatic fashion before qualifying for the Champions League twice and winning the Carabao Cup.
“I'm a big fan of Eddie and I think he single-handedly changed the club and the people's expectations in that city,” Krul continued. “I mean, he's going to go down as one of those legendary managers this club has ever had? Yes, of course, I think there could be some criticism, it's not good enough to not win an away game since April, but ultimately I think if you asked any fan a couple of years ago to have a trophy and to challenge the Champions League and to fire on all cylinders in the top competitions out there, I think they would have signed for that."
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