Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the team's defeat during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)placeholder image
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the team's defeat during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Eddie Howe retains the total support of Newcastle United’s owners, according to CEO David Hopkinson.
Howe was appointed as head coach in November 2021 and, after keeping the club in the Premier League in his first season, has twice secured Champions League qualification and lifted the Carabao Cup.
But this campaign has been one of frustration so far. While the Magpies remain in the Champions League and FA Cup, and only last night exited the Carabao Cup with a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Manchester City in the semi-finals, their Premier League form has been up and down.
Twenty-four matches in and United sit 11th in the table, seven points below the top five and the same number of points above 17th. That has led to criticism of Howe, but Hopkinson insists the 48-year-old is under no immediate pressure.
Eddie Howe retains the full support of Newcastle United hierarchy
Hopkinson, speaking to talkSPORT on Wednesday, was responding to suggestions made by former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan that Howe wasn’t the man to take Newcastle to the next level.
“Eddie's our manager and he's an extraordinary manager,” said Newcastle’s CEO. “We just talked about how much he's envied by other clubs and the national program, so with all due respect to Simon [Jordan], I could not disagree more.
“Then I guess he won't be going to work with Simon anytime soon. But Eddie's our man and he has our total support here.”
What happens if England come calling for Eddie Howe?
The idea of England coming calling in the summer was also put to Hopkinson. Thomas Tuchel’s contract expires after the World Cup and Howe would likely be regarded as a top candidate.
Asked if he were concerned about that situation arising, Hopkinson replied: “Eddie's been a phenomenal partner to me since the day I met him. He certainly seems like a man very focused on what he's doing at Newcastle. His work rate is incredible. I really like the partnership that I have with him that Ross has with him.
“Eddie consistently indicates to us how happy he is here. Again, I see someone operating with high, high, high conviction. I'm someone who pays a lot of attention to what people say, but I pay even more attention to what they do and I see someone very leaned in and very focused.
“Eddie's not in the room, but I know Eddie is 100% devoted to what's going to happen tonight in Manchester. And I'm really happy with the job.”
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