HOWE FACES A BATTLE TO REVIVE TOON
EDDIE HOWE will face an inquest at the end of the season as Newcastle fight to reverse a three-month slump.
Howe believes he retains the support of United’s owners, and is likely to be in charge next season.
But the Toon head coach admits it has been a season of setbacks and tough experiences, conceding: “It has not been the year we had last year. We have had a lot thrown at us.”
Saudi investment chief and club chairman Yasir Al-rumayyan will review the campaign in May, including talking to Howe and other key staff.
Last summer, Al-rumayyan insisted Newcastle “want to be No.1” – but their form has now gone so sour that Sky pundit Jamie Carragher (below) says they “look like a team ready for the end of the season.”
United have one last shot at glory with a tough FA Cup trip to holders Manchester City on Saturday.
The chances of that coming off are slim – they have lost their last 15 visits to the Etihad in the Premier League to an aggregate score of 49-7.
Qualifying for the Europa Conference League by finishing seventh is also looking tough, especially given Newcastle’s recent poor run.
In the last 14 league games they’ve lost eight and gathered just 14 points.
Unless Saturday’s crack at the cup keeps the season alive, it’s set to end with optimism punctured.
A year ago Geordies assumed Newcastle were contenders, but the top six are out of sight again.
Howe’s decency and credit in the bank has largely kept dissent at bay. But if Steve Bruce or Alan Pardew teams were producing this form or results there would be uproar.
Fans are already debating whether Howe is the man to be ruthless and oversee a major overhaul – and whether he can bring some fresh life to a team who appear exhausted, lacking fight and leaking goals.
Howe (with Anthony Gordon, top) will face a big summer if, as expected, he stays in charge, wielding even greater influence over transfers with sporting director Dan Ashworth gone.
Will Bruno Guimaraes be sold to Manchester City for £100million? Will Joelinton land his new deal or be sold? Can they keep Alexander Isak, who is Champions League quality?
And for those hoping for a Saudi splurge, the scrapping of Profit and Sustainability Rules for a new system based on spending as a percentage of turnover won’t help Newcastle. It will only hem them in further.