The fallout is unavoidable, loud, and largely justified. As Eddie Howe himself remarked, “Use whatever word you want, I won’t challenge it.”
Such was the dismal performance by Newcastle in their Sunday loss to arch-rivals Sunderland, marking the second such defeat this season. By Sunday night, the fury was ablaze across every medium.
But a more significant question arises from the sting of this derby defeat—what lies ahead for Howe? Opinions may diverge, but there’s a compelling argument that the head coach merits at least one turbulent season, along with the summer, to orchestrate a turnaround.
Last week, I noted that their Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona served as a period at the end of this chapter for the club. Just days later, Sunderland added their own mark in vivid red ink. Nonetheless, this should not obscure the broader vision for decision-makers or fans.
Howe is still the club’s most effective leader in recent history and the ideal candidate to guide them forward. His leadership has been pivotal in transforming Newcastle from 19th to fourth place, securing Champions League berths twice, and clinching their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Eddie Howe has come under pressure after a harrowing week which ended with yet another defeat by Sunderland in the derby
The derby defeat came on the back of an utter humiliation in the Nou Camp, where Newcastle lost 7-2 as their Champions League campaign came to a shuddering halt
NEWCASTLE’S LAST SEVEN GAMES
| Feb 28 |
LOST 3-2 v Everton (PL, h) |
| Mar 4 |
WON 2-1 v Man United (PL, h) |
| Mar 7 |
LOST 3-1 v Man City (FA Cup, h) |
| Mar 10 |
DREW 1-1 v Barcelona (CL, h) |
| Mar 14 |
WON 1-0 v Chelsea (PL, a) |
| Mar 18 |
LOST 7-2 v Barcelona (CL, a) |
| Sunday |
LOST 2-1 v Sunderland (PL, h) |
But what do those on the inside think? The new executive team, certainly, would share that view. Howe will get support from chief executive David Hopkinson, sporting director Ross Wilson and performance director James Bunce. Everything I’m told is that they, with Howe, remain aligned and united.
What the St James’ Park hierarchy and the manager himself do not know is the opinion of the club’s Saudi ownership.
They have not expressed anything other than understanding and a want to help – contact between Riyadh and Tyneside is said to be daily – but nor are they prone to statements of outright backing. Maybe that is a deliberate tactic to keep employees on their toes.
While that unknown exists, Howe needs to win matches and deliver European football, which is a stated expectation of the board. As to the latter of those aims, Newcastle are four points back of Conference League qualification, six behind the Europa League, and seven behind Liverpool in the likely fifth Champions League place.
On the ground, the problems are obvious, the solutions less so. Internally, the irritation on Sunday was that the team found a way to lose after being gifted the lead – again. That is 22 points surrendered from winning positions this season. Football does not work like this, of course, but 22 more points would have them second in the table.
There is confusion as to why a squad with good characters – and this extends to the dugout – is so fragile when in front. They used to defend advantages with the snarl of a dog protecting its bone. Now, they roll over like puppies. Howe is an elite coach. With more time between now and the end of the season, that is exactly what he has to do – coach his team to be better.
Beyond that, a summer of high player turnover awaits. The indecision, confusion and subsequent panic of last year’s transfer window, which has stained this season, cannot be repeated. There was a void of executive leadership. Because for all Howe is the lightning rod right now, much of the storm can be traced to elsewhere.
Primarily, the Saudi ownership, if you can find them. For the two biggest games of the season at St James’ Park – Barcelona and Sunderland – there was, to my knowledge, no senior representation from PIF at either game.
There is confusion as to why a squad with good characters – and this extends to the dugout – is so fragile when in front. Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey (centre) bullied the Newcastle defence
There was no senior representation from Newcastle’s Saudi owners at either of the two huge games this week
Some were in Barcelona for the second leg, a 7-2 defeat and gulf in class that jarred with the club’s vision to be the best in the world by 2030. We are yet to see the off-field action to support the weight of those words.
For while those close to the ownership protest otherwise, Newcastle increasingly feels like a neglected project. Even if that is not the case, the optics suggest so. And, in football, perception is everything. It was one of Rafa Benitez’s most favourite asides: ‘Football is a lie.’
And, if Newcastle want to keep their best players and attract even better ones to play with them, there has to be more evidence of engagement and ambition from the very top. Yes, PIF have enabled the club to spend to the maximum in terms of PSR, but football club ownership is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet.
It is about care, interest, presence, putting the right people in the right positions. In four-and-a-half years, the best appointment they have made is Howe. He is not above criticism, but Newcastle should rise above the rage and realise that the worst decisions are too often made to quieten the noise.
