It has been a frustrating season for Newcastle United, but no one will be more frustrated than Eddie Howe. The manager has watched his side go from the Champions League, to mid-table obscurity.
Howe sparkled in his initial 18 months at Newcastle. Taking the club from a position of definite relegation to safety and some way up the League. The next season, finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
To begin with this season, Newcastle impressed. Taking the likes of PSG, Dortmund and Milan right to the wire. But, injuries have taken their toll and Newcastle lacked the depth to be able to keep it up.
Out in the group stages, albeit harshly, and sitting tenth in the Premier League currently. They still have a chance of qualification for Europe in some degree – whether it is the Europa League, or Conference.
Sam Allardyce discusses Eddie Howe speculation at Newcastle
Howe over-performed in his first full season as Newcastle manager. Back down to reality, there is a worry he could be given the axe by Newcastle’s board – the Saudi Arabia PIF and Amanda Staveley.
Indeed, reports say that Newcastle could make a change and The Toon are being linked with possible replacements come the summer. But it would very harsh on Howe, who has had to deal with injuries.
Sam Allardyce brought those reports up on the latest instalment of The No Tippy Tappy Football pod – and said he hopes those rumours of Howe’s sacking are not true, given the injuries he has had.
“Eddie Howe never had the squad to cope with the Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and League. Now they are where they are because the squad wasn’t big enough,” Allardyce said on Howe.
“As usual though, there is speculation because he hasn’t had such a great season. I hope the owners aren’t thinking about, or anyone is thinking about changing him yet,” the former Toon manager added.
Which managers are linked with replacing Howe at Newcastle
Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is a manager Newcastle could supposedly turn to, if they do make the decision to move forward without Howe. De Zerbi is also being linked with the Liverpool job.
Even Germany gaffer Julian Nagelsmann is said to be an option for Newcastle – but that seems a bit unlikely, given Nagelsmann will take Germany into Euro 2024 this summer. Howe should stay, though.
He should have earned enough credit to stay at Newcastle and be given a chance to take The Toon back to the heights of the top six at least, in 2024-25. Failure to do so, then a decision will have to be made.
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