The Magpies finished 12th in the Premier League and exited all cup competitions, with former scout Bryan King suggesting the manager’s position could come under scrutiny if results do not improve early next season.
By Azuka Betandsured
Eddie Howe’s future at St James’ Park has been the subject of intense speculation following a campaign that fell well short of the standards set by consecutive Champions League qualifications and a Carabao Cup triumph. While the club hierarchy have publicly backed the 48 yea old to lead the summer rebuild, the margin for error appears to have narrowed considerably.
Newcastle’s disappointing 12th placed finish, coupled with early exits from domestic cups and a Champions League round of 16 defeat to Barcelona, has tested the patience of supporters and decision makers alike . The sale of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for approximately £69 million has further complicated matters, leaving Howe with a significant rebuilding task .
Howe Retains Backing For Now
The club’s Saudi Arabian ownership, led by chairman Yasir AlRumayyan, held annual meetings with Howe at Matfen Hall last month, where the head coach faced “challenging questions” about the team’s regression . Howe presented a detailed analysis of the season’s failures and outlined his vision for the future, emerging with what he described as a sense of unity and support .
However, former Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham scout Bryan King has suggested that the backing may be conditional. “He’s on a lot of money, he’s on a very good contract. If he got the sack, he’d end up walking away with a lot of money,” King told Football Insider. “They’re certainly going to let him get started in the new season and lead pre season. But I can see if things don’t pick up in the league, in August, September, then there can be a manager change there.”
A Season of Decline
The scale of Newcastle’s fall from grace is stark. The club lost 16 Premier League games, just one fewer than during the 2008/09 relegation campaign, and dropped a league high 27 points from winning positions . Consecutive derby defeats to Sunderland proved particularly damaging, with one senior figure describing the 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace in April as the moment the team “threw dirt on the coffin” of their season .
A chaotic summer transfer window conducted without a sporting director following Paul Mitchell’s departure left Howe working with a squad ill equipped to cope with the demands of Champions League football. Alexander Isak’s deadline day departure to Liverpool, coupled with injuries to new signing Yoane Wissa before he had kicked a ball, undermined the campaign from the outset .
Who Could Replace Howe?
Should Newcastle’s early season form falter, a number of high profile candidates are available. Oliver Glasner, who left Crystal Palace after winning the Conference League, is understood to be among the leading contenders . The Austrian has been linked with a return to management after a period of rest following his departure from Selhurst Park.
Other potential options include Thomas Frank and Arne Slot, who was dismissed by Liverpool last month, while Kieran McKenna, who left Ipswich Town, is expected to take time away from the game .
For now, Howe remains at the helm. But as King’s assessment suggests, the new season may bring little patience for a slow start. Howe acknowledged as much himself: “In my position, I am under no illusions I have to get results to keep that feeling, that strength and that trust” .
