Wayne Rooney has issued a word of warning to furious Newcastle United fans who have called for Eddie Howe's job in the aftermath of Sunday's Tyne-Wear Derby defeat
Gabby Logan, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer speak with Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United
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Wayne Rooney has warned Newcastle United fans to 'be careful what you wish for' as Eddie Howe faces calls to be sacked - and received a barrage of criticism over his comments.
In one of the Magpies' toughest blows in recent history, they were omitted from the Champions League 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona last week, before suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at the hands of bitter rivals Sunderland at St James' Park on Sunday.
As a result of a tumultuous week on Tyneside, many fans have taken to social media to urge their club to part ways with Howe. However, Rooney has issued a work of warning to the Toon Army over their wishes to 'push him out'.
Speaking with BBC Sport, the Manchester United legend said: "I'd just say to the Newcastle fans, be careful what you wish for, because I've heard this a few times now where they're booing and, you know, people question Eddie Howe.
"Eddie Howe is one of the best managers in the Premier League, no doubt. And don't push him out, don't force, don't keep pushing.
"I know they haven't been great in the league this season, they have had injuries and they've struggled to replace [Alexander] Isak - Isak's goals from last season. But just be careful what you wish for because honestly, there's no doubt that he's a top manager."
Hesitant to listen to Rooney's assessment, a number of social media users took to the comments section of the X post in which the BBC shared the clip to give their take. One wrote, with a hint of sarcasm: "Totally agree.
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"Bournemouth got rid of him and look at them now. Oh wait a minute, they’re level with Newcastle and haven’t spent 3/4 of a billion pounds to get there."
A second added: "This coming from someone who is famously bad at being a manager. Cheers, Wayne," while a third asked: "So can we not want a better manager?"
It comes as Howe insisted that he will not walk away from the club in the aftermath of Sunday's loss. Speaking with the press about his future, the 48-year-old said: "I am committed, fully committed. I'm disappointed in myself and my delivery today over the last week. The Barcelona game was very tough.
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"Today is even tougher. Yeah, I mean, I always, as I said after the Brentford game, absorb myself and don't look to deflect it to my players, I protect my players to my last breath.
"That is how I look at it. It is going to be a tough painful few days for me."
Newcastle United opened the scoring just 10 minutes into Sunday's 12pm kick-off in front of the Gallowgate, with Luke O'Nien passing the ball to Nick Woltemade from a goal kick with a hashed clearance under pressure. The German, who was playing in a deeper role for the Derby then squared it to Gordon, who found the back of Melker Ellborg before wheeling off in celebration.
It was a game of two halves at St James', however, with the Magpies failing to get started upon their return from the dressing room. Chemsdine Talbi levelled matters 57 minutes into play off the back of Aaron Ramsdale's inability to clear Granit Xhaka's well-worked corner.
While Malick Thiaw thought he had taken the lead for the hosts once more late on, the goal was ultimately ruled out due to Jacob Murphy impeding Ellborg in an offside position. It was Brian Brobbey who then stole the game at the death for the visitors.
Late substitute, Enzo Le Fee, burst into Ramsdale's area before taking the ball to the by-line, nutmegging a lunging Lewis Hall and a slow to react Dan Burn before finding the Dutchman at the front post. While Ramsdale blocked the initial strike, a follow up from point blank range was too hot to handle.
As a result of the win, Sunderland overtook Newcastle in the Premier League standings, with the Black Cats sitting a point and a place above the Magpies in 11th. Up next for United is a trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace come April 12, following the upcoming international break.