Newcastle United have thrown away more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season, and Eddie Howe is showing signs that he's taken them as far as he can.
It's been an incredibly disappointing season for the Magpies, who sit in 14th position in the Premier League title, while they've also been knocked out of every cup competition.
Their latest result against Crystal Palace saw them, once again, squander a lead, conceding in the final seconds as Jean-Philippe Mateta fired home from the penalty spot.
PIF and the Newcastle board won't be happy with how the season has gone, and there's little they can now do to salvage something, except make a late push for the European places.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe after losing to West Ham United. Related
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Newcastle Must Get Rid of Howe
Eddie Howe
Newcastle need to make the decision to axe Howe at the end of the season, as it's clear that he's taken them as far as he can go.
PIF have lofty ambitions, and if Howe is unable to manage a side to compete in multiple competitions, they might need to head in a new direction.
Newcastle spent significantly in the summer transfer window, and Howe is simply failing to get the best out of those players.
The game against Crystal Palace was a prime example, with Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, and Anthony Elanga all starting on the bench after arriving last summer.
Sacking Howe now wouldn't make a lot of sense, but making a change in the dugout might be necessary for the Magpies later this year.
Newcastle Must Show Huge Ambition
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts
It might feel like a move that is a little too ambitious for Newcastle, but considering the money PIF have to back the club, they need to be looking to make an ambitious appointment.
Xabi Alonso is available now, and according to reports, he's ready to return to management.
The Spanish manager, described as 'elite', might be looking to manage a side at a higher level than Newcastle, but after being sacked at a huge club like Real Madrid, taking another project, similar to Bayer Leverkusen, could be ideal for him.
The Magpies might need to at least qualify for Europe in order to attract him, but it's certainly worth asking the question.