**Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United future has been a hot topic of speculation again recently, following vague comments from CEO David Hopkinson.**
During a round table meeting with journalists to discuss the club’s latest financial results, [Hopkinson stopped short of saying Howe’s long-term job security was safe.](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2026/03/31/eddie-howe-under-pressure-as-david-hopkinson-refuses-to-give-assurances-over-future/)
At the same time, he was careful not to say that the gaffer was under pressure, but hinted that if Newcastle were to miss out on European qualification this season, difficult conversations may be had behind the scenes.
It seems to depend on your stance on Eddie Howe as to how you interpret Hopkinson’s words, which we’re sure is exactly how the Canadian wanted it to be.
Alan Shearer has always been a fan of Eddie Howe, and he seems to back the former Bournemouth man to ride this wave of pressure, telling Betfair (via [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howe-newcastle-united-hopkinson-33714615)) that he doesn’t feel Howe will even take any notice of Hopkinson’s comments to the media, while issuing a strong backing for the 48-year-old.
> “_I don’t know whether Howe would read Hopkinson’s quotes, to be honest. I don’t think it would bother him. I think he’s been in the game long enough, even though he’s not that old; he’s vastly experienced._
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> _“He understands how the game works. For me, Eddie Howe is the most successful manager in Newcastle’s history. He saved Newcastle from a disaster._
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> _“So, if there’s one manager that deserves the chance, or the opportunity to go again in the summer, it’s him. The position that Newcastle are in at this moment in time, through no fault of their own, because of PSR or SCR, whatever, it’s been a really tough, difficult season for Newcastle._
>
> _“There are many factors for it, and I guess there has to be an inquest into how, why, and what. But I think if there’s one manager that deserves the chance to go again and try and rebuild to get back where they have been in recent seasons, then I think it’s Eddie Howe._
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> _“He deserves that because of what he’s done for Newcastle, and what he’s achieved. I’d be more than happy to say he has to be able to go again.”_
We have to agree with Shearer on this one. While we understand that the credit he’s built up has to run out eventually, there have always been things out of Howe’s control that could be seen as mitigating factors when things have gone wrong.
Next season, with a CEO in place who actually seems to know what he’s doing, a sporting director who wants to be here, and hopefully the right backing in the transfer market in the summer, we can finally get a turbulence-free season, and we can see exactly what Howe can do.
With no boardroom uncertainty (hopefully), there’ll be nowhere for Howe to hide next season, so we feel that 2026/27 will be the make-or-break campaign for our gaffer. We aren’t saying that he should be bringing us the Premier League title, but if Newcastle fails to qualify for Europe next season, then we can have ‘the talk’.