Newcastle United official Eddie Howe announcement must be released now
Newcastle United must decide whether to back or sack Eddie Howe now - not in the summer.
David Hopkinson parked it until the summer, Eddie Howe too, but it’s time the Newcastle United pair got together and addressed the big elephant in the room. Does Howe stay or go?
We do not need the planned end-of-season review to know the performance of the head coach and his team has not been good this campaign. Realistically, what happens between now and the end of May won’t change that.
When I asked Hopkinson about Howe’s future last month, European qualification was still a genuine possibility, and I guess achieving that is what Hopkinson meant when said he “expects to have a great run to the end of the season”.
Two games later, defeats to Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth, and the season is close to going up in flames, not exactly what Howe had in mind when he stacked up his wood and put it on the fire he insists still burns inside of him.
It has been a relentlessly challenging campaign, no one is disputing that. Losing Alexander Isak last summer was massive too. But going from 5th to 14th in less than 12 months. whilst spending £250million on new players, is totally unacceptable.
Reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and the last 16 of the Champions League, where Newcastle were humbled by Manchester City and Barcelona, respectively, only paper of the cracks of the season that has been unravelling since the opening day at Aston Villa.
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Remarkably, Newcastle went into the game against Bournemouth on Saturday needing three points to keep their European hopes alive, but instead ended the evening talking about a potential relegation battle - until Brighton equalised late on at Tottenham Hotspur.
The final five matches won’t tell us anything we didn’t already know, unless Newcastle win all five (they’re more likely to lose all five). The season is as good as done. The players are playing like they know it, and deep down the manager does too.
Newcastle United must make Eddie Howe decision now
The evidence is there to make a decision on Howe’s future now. Either back the man who achieved what no other manager had done for 56 years, and that was lift a trophy, or let him pay for this season’s failings.
If it is the latter, that should be communicated to supporters ASAP. That way, the growing toxicity would be removed and Howe would get the send-off he deserves in the remaining two home fixtures.
On the flip side, announcing he’ll stay provides clarity, and his critics will either have to like it or lump it.
The uncertainty isn’t doing anyone any favours, not least the manager, who, for all his faults this term, warrants respect and admiration for the job he has carried out over the last four-and-a-half years.
Even Howe’s most ardent critics have reached a feeling of sadness. They haven’t wanted to turn but feel performances and results have given them little choice. There are still those who are 100% behind him.
And then there’s the grey area. They love Howe for what he’s achieved but in the same breath also have their doubts. But for Newcastle’s chiefs, it’s either black or white: back Howe or part ways.
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