Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has come in for some criticism from sections of the club's fanbase after falling to 14th in the Premier League table ahead of the international break
Eddie Howe applauding the fans
Eddie Howe was appointed manager at St James' Park in November, 2021
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Newcastle United have played 17 football matches this season and have lost six of them. Amongst those defeats were losses to Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal, all by single-goal margins.
Yet, apparently, Eddie Howe appears to be under some sort of pressure, if only from a disgruntled fraction of the fanbase. Sure, all professional football managers are always under pressure, particularly those at the helm of ambitious, relatively wealthy clubs.
But if anyone believes Newcastle’s Saudi owners should even consider a change, they are being faintly preposterous. Great clubs are made for great managerial dynasties and that is what Howe can create at St James’ Park.
And if this season does not turn out to be as rewarding as might have been expected, then so be it. Continuity is key. When you find the ideal leader, stick with him. Simple as that. Liverpool did that with Jurgen Klopp, Arsenal have done it with Mikel Arteta.
Given his record and his brilliance, it is somewhat different with Manchester City, but they have done it with Pep Guardiola. It looks as though Manchester United want to do it with Ruben Amorim.
Howe, of course, has already been at Newcastle for a considerable amount of time, last Saturday marking the completion of his fourth year in charge. It seldom works like this but for what he has done in those four years, he deserves to be safe for another four years.
When he was appointed, Newcastle were 19th in the Premier League table and had not won any of their opening 11 games. He took them to 11th place that season, to fourth place in 2022/23, to seventh place in 2023/24, to fifth place in 2024/25.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool
Alexander Isak's drawn-out move to Liverpool disrupted Eddie Howe's preparation for the season
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He has twice taken the club to the final of the League Cup, winning the club’s first major trophy since 1969, and is currently enjoying a second Champions League campaign. Newcastle currently sit sixth out of 36 in the Champions League standings for this season.
And Howe might be under pressure? Really? Clearly, Newcastle’s Premier League form is worthy of criticism, the last two defeats and performances on the road - at West Ham and Brentford - being particularly disappointing.
But there are very valid reasons for an underwhelming start to the domestic challenge, not least the whole Alexander Isak affair. Whoever is considered to have handled that situation the worst - the player, Liverpool or Newcastle - one thing is for certain. Howe lost a free-scoring talisman … and there are not many of them about.
Up and down the league, we see expensive forwards take time to settle and that is the case with Nick Woltemade, whose opening burst of five goals in eight games has been followed by a run of one in six. It does not help that his fellow striking recruit, Yoane Wissa, has yet to make his debut because of a knee injury.
Tino Livramento in action
Tino Livramento has been out since September with a knee injury
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Over the past six weeks, Tino Livramento, who suffered his knee injury in the home loss to Arsenal, has also been sorely missed. There are other fitness issues but Howe would not use them as excuses. He knows that it is his job to improve the contributions of out-of-form players or find alternatives.
He knows it is his job to come up with a system that will increase his team’s waning goal threat. He knows it is his job to lift Newcastle to a higher level of intensity, especially on the road. But Howe will get the job done.
Jamie Carragher came up with an interesting theory, suggesting Howe had taken Newcastle as far as he could and, if it became available, should go for the England job after the Euros. Carragher said Howe had, essentially, been let down by the owners.
That is a strong claim but whether it is right or wrong, one thing is for sure. Those owners should be doing their best to make sure Howe stays at St James’ Park for another four years.
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