What are the main issues the hierarchy must address ahead of the summer? And what might that mean for some key figures at the club?
STICK WITH EDDIE HOWE?
Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Has Eddie Howe earned the right to try to turn things around next season? Or after four-and-a-half years at the helm, has Howe taken Newcastle as far as he can, meaning a change of head coach might be needed this summer?
Newcastle’s CEO, David Hopkinson, clouded the issue last week when he was far from unequivocal about Howe’s position. “I don’t have a stance on his [Howe] future,” said Hopkinson. “Eddie’s our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season and we’ll talk about the future when it’s time.”
Up until now, it has always felt as though Howe has retained the support of senior figures within the St James’ Park hierarchy. The strong likelihood is that he will still be in charge at the start of next season, although the views of chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan remain unknown and for all that their current focus is understandably elsewhere at the moment, the Saudi PIF could decide to intervene at some stage this summer.
Fan sentiment will also be influential. There were boos at the final whistle at Selhurst Park, and there is a growing movement on social media calling for Howe’s dismissal. Up until now, though, that hasn’t spilled over into the stands. If that was to change over the course of the next six matches, Howe’s position could become much more vulnerable.
WHO WILL MAKE THE TRANSFER CALLS?
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Last summer was an absolute disaster for the Magpies. The Alexander Isak saga was handled dreadfully, sparking a mad scramble that saw the club shell out more than £200m on players who have underperformed badly this term.
The mitigation was that Newcastle were effectively operating without both a sporting director (Paul Mitchell’s departure was announced at the end of May) and chief executive (Darren Eales’ health issues prompted his exit announcement well before the end of last season). As a result, Eddie Howe assumed effective control of transfer matters, supported by his nephew, Andy.
That cannot be allowed to continue this summer. Newcastle have a new CEO (Hopkinson) and new sporting director in Ross Wilson, whose appointment was announced in October. Together, they must drive Newcastle’s transfer business and avoid a repeat of last summer’s shambles.
That doesn’t mean Howe should be sidelined all together, but it should result in a much clearer divide between the recruitment operation and head coach. Howe’s preference for tried-and-tested Premier League performers must be shelved. It is time for Newcastle to become more dynamic and data-led in their transfer approach.
WHICH BIG NAMES SHOULD LEAVE?
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
With Champions League football surely off the agenda, it is hard to see Newcastle’s current squad remaining intact. That is not necessarily a bad thing. The team has failed to fire this season and needs a refresh, and in a PSR world, the Magpies have to become much better sellers. Effective player trading means sensible selling.
Who should leave though? Sandro Tonali? It’s looking increasingly hard to keep him, with his agent clearly agitating for a move, and there is definitely a case for selling the Italian midfielder while his stock is high.
What about Tino Livramento? There is talk of both Arsenal and Manchester City wanting the full-back, whose form has dipped badly in the second half of the season amid ongoing injury issues. Does Livramento want away? If so, it might be better to sell now, even with Kieran Trippier also leaving.
Anthony Gordon? The winger is another player whose mood increasingly seems to suggest he is unsettled. If that is the case, would blocking a potential move drive him even further into his shell? Newcastle cannot sell everyone, but after last year’s farcical situation with Isak, it is imperative they head into this summer with a clear plan for all their leading assets.
WISSA/WOLTEMADE
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
What on earth do Newcastle do with their current front two? Or, to be more precise, with their £120m forwards who do little more than warm the bench? Howe tried to explain away his decision to start with Will Osula at Palace by talking up the youngster’s performances in training, but his unwillingness to play either Wissa or Woltemade spoke volumes for what he thinks of the pair.
That is a major problem. Wissa turns 30 in September and signed a long-term deal when he joined Newcastle for £55m on deadline day at the start of September. Realistically, there is no chance of the Magpies getting their money back on the Frenchman given his lack of involvement this season, so can they afford to write off a huge chunk of money to move him on? But if Wissa remains, what happens if Howe decides he still does not want to play him next season?
Woltemade’s situation is slightly different as he only turned 24 in February and despite a hit-and-miss season, he still has plenty of suitors back in the Bundesliga. He could yet have a good World Cup with Germany. Newcastle would be unlikely to recoup the £69m they paid for him, but they could still expect a decent sum if they opted to cut their losses and sell Woltemade this summer.
WHERE SHOULD NEWCASTLE STRENGTHEN?
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
All over the place, ideally, and that is another problem Newcastle face. It is hard to say that any element of the current squad has really functioned effectively this season.
A new goalkeeper is surely a priority with the limitations of both Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale having been repeatedly exposed. Trippier needs to be replaced whatever happens with Livramento, while Fabian Schar is currently due to leave as a free agent at the end of the season, which would create a gap at centre-half.
The exit of either Tonali or Bruno Guimaraes would leave a big gap in midfield, while Anthony Elanga’s struggles mean the right-wing position remains a major weakness. And that’s before we even get to centre-forward, where Newcastle’s problems have been chronic all campaign.
A major overhaul is badly needed, but Newcastle would have breached PSR rules this season had they not sold St James’ Park to their parent company. The budget remains tight, meaning some tough decisions will be required.