It’s been a difficult few weeks for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United: some bruising losses in the Premier League and Carabao Cup hit a low point with the lads being booed off after the 3-2 loss to Brentford last weekend.
That loss saw some question Howe’s position at the club, but huge back-to-back wins at Spurs and Aston Villa have come at the perfect time, making a mockery of the vocal minority claiming he ‘had to go’ after our defeat to Brentford.
Throughout this turbulent period, the manager has retained the backing of his team, who have really stepped up over the past week. And one star, one of Howe’s most trusted and dependable, has hit back at recent calls for the gaffer to go.
Trippier responds to social media
Speaking seconds after Saturday’s FA Cup win away at Aston Villa, Kieran Trippier was quick to questions those calling for Howe to be sacked last week.
After becoming aware of the “stuff on social media” and comments online Howe “did not deserve”, the 35-year-old told TNT Sports that the players regrouped last week, took responsibility and dug in for the manager, who they clearly realised was under pressure.
Trippier insists that the team are “fully behind” Howe and and giving their all for him, paying tribute to the boss and calling out those who wanted him out at the first sign of trouble.
> _“We’ve regrouped this week. We looked at ourselves in the dressing room (after Brentford), but most importantly did it for the manager._
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> _“You see all the stuff on social media, which he really does not deserve._
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> _“We are fully behind him. We are fully playing for him. So this one is for him as well.”_
It was reported last week that a [post-match summit](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/02/13/4-newcastle-stars-held-post-match-meeting-at-st-james-park-to-iron-out-issues-report/) was held between the team, led by Trippier as well as the club’s senior players like Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy, to address the recent shortcomings.
And it looks like the message has been sent and felt by the team, as there’s been some markedly improved displays and results to show from it, with the players stepping up and silencing any claims that Howe had lost the dressing room.
Alan Shearer has backed Howe tremendously over the last few weeks, and he continued his public support for the manager on Saturday.
Responding to Trippier’s interview on the pitch and the overwhelming message that Newcastle’s players remain fully behind the manager, our former No 9 said:
> “So they should be (the players behind him) and so should the fans be.
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> _“Social media isn’t the place to judge opinions, especially on football, when results aren’t going for you._
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> _“Eddie Howe gave me the best day of my life as a Newcastle fan. At times, you can criticise, that’s fine, but also for what he has done for Newcastle for his experience and all the other things._
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> _“He was never under any pressure from me for losing his job. We need to hold onto him, for what he has done and what he can do going forward for Newcastle United._
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> _“If he was under any pressure, then the players have answered. Their away form has been really poor this season, but Tottenham and today (both wins)…that tells you what they think of the manager if he was under pressure.”_
Up next is our third and fourth away games in a row in all competitions, which will be a true test over just how re-focused and ready we are for the rest of the campaign under Howe.
The first leg of our Champions League play-off against Qarabag in Azerbaijan, followed by another trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Man City.
Two tricky games and two more away trips, but we head into both with renewed belief and togetherness after two vital away wins over the past week.