The Barcelona thrashing was almost forgivable. For 135 minutes, Newcastle United pushed one of the best sides in Europe all the way, before their dominance took its toll in a disastrous second half at the Nou Camp. There was at least some cause for optimism.
The real crime came days later when Sunderland came from behind to complete the double over Newcastle at St James' Park. Any optimism had evaporated and any chance that Eddie Howe would be forgiven anytime soon began to do the same.
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For the first time in his Tyneside career, there is serious pressure on the manager to turn things around in the final seven games of the season. So much so that not even PSR problems will be big enough to hide behind.
Newcastle face crucial Eddie Howe decision
All great things must come to an end and Howe's Newcastle spell has certainly been that. He has taken the club into the Champions League twice and ended their long wait for a trophy by winning the Carabao Cup. There will be apologetic tears from whoever calls the shot if this is to be it for the 48-year-old in Tyneside.
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As bad as Elanga: Howe must drop Newcastle flop who only won 17% duels
Eddie Howe must axe this Newcastle United star after his unconvincing display in the Tyne-Wear Derby.
There's no longer any denying that the Magpies have a call to make. Defeat at Sunderland exposed Newcastle's problems for the world to see.
Club-record striker Nick Woltemade was once again seen in midfield, another £55m man in Yoane Wissa was on the bench and Brian Brobbey made that backline look like the Steve Bruce days. How a manager comes back from that remains the unanswered question.
"I'm fully committed to the job. I'm disappointed with my delivery today and this week. Today was even tougher than Barcelona. I absorb the blame — I won't be deflecting it to players until my last breath. It’s going to be a painful few days for me." (Howe)
It's a question that not even Howe will have the answer to and he could only take the blame for suffering back-to-back defeats against his biggest rivals on Sunday.
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Newcastle should replace Howe with Roberto De Zerbi
The bad news for Howe is that there is a manager available who could transform Newcastle. After leaving Marseille back in February, Roberto De Zerbi is somebody who should be at the very top of the Magpies' shortlist if they decide to sack their current boss at the end of the season.
Olympique de Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi reacts
The Italian already knows the Premier League and has already punched above his weight, earning European football with Brighton & Hove Albion.
There will be concerns about how he's clashed with clubs in the past, but there will be no one questioning De Zerbi's managerial ability. Liverpool's Arne Slot even went as far as to call him "one of the best coaches in the world" - that's how highly he's regarded.
Stats 25/26 De Zerbi at Marseille Howe at Newcastle
Games 33 51
Wins 18 23
Draws 3 9
Defeats 12 19
Goals scored 78 96
Goals conceded 47 83
Although it's been easy to point at Newcastle's attack as the biggest problem for Howe to solve, the Magpies' defensive record has been nothing short of disastrous this season.
Whilst he did have 20 fewer games at Marseille, the numbers suggest that De Zerbi is a far more balanced coach than Howe. The Italian doesn't sacrifice the defensive side in order to be entertaining.
He's found a way to balance both, with his Marseille side scoring 78 goals and conceding 47 in 33 games before he left this season.
When it comes to preferred systems, De Zerbi is known for how he likes his sides to bait teams in when in possession. It's a high risk, high reward tactic. It allows teams to press, to commit in numbers, and then for the Italian's side to play through.
There have been complaints that Newcastle have been too lethargic and unentertaining in the Premier League under Howe this season. De Zerbi would be the exact opposite.
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[Newcastle must sack Howe to hire "the best manager in the Premier League"](https://www.footballfancast.com/newcastle-must-sack-howe-to-hire-unai-emery/ "Newcastle must sack Howe to hire "the best manager in the Premier League"")
Eddie Howe is skating on thin ice after a terrible week for Newcastle United.