Alan Shearer believes Newcastle could replace Eddie Howe. (Image: Getty)
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer no longer believes Eddie Howe will remain as Magpies head coach next season. Howe’s position intensified scrutiny after United lost 2-1 at home to former club Bournemouth on Saturday, effectively ending their hopes of winning European football next season.
It was their eighth loss in 11 home games and fifth in their last six Premier League home games, leaving them languishing in 14th place with five games remaining. Howe had amassed considerable goodwill last season after leading Newcastle to their first silver medal in 56 years and qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
This season they reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals and the Champions League last 16, but their league results have been dismal, with Howe’s side having to be sent off the pitch at full-time in a league home match for the second year in a row after being jeered at.
It promises to be a tough summer for Newcastle as they look to reset and rebuild as one of the most successful periods of modern times comes to an end.
With several key players preparing to leave, Howe will continue to enjoy the support of those inside St James’ Park for the foreseeable future, but questions remain as to whether that confidence will last if the current struggles continue until the end of the season.
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Shearer, Newcastle’s record goalscorer, also criticized the club’s players in the loss to the Cherries, accusing them of abandoning Howe. He also admitted it was unlikely that Howe would continue as manager next season.
“Did you see it?” Shearer asked fellow Rest is Football podcast hosts Gary Lineker and Micah Richards when asked for their thoughts on the Magpies’ recent setbacks. “I was going to say we were lucky enough, but I sat there and watched and the players were terrible.
Eddie Howe faces uncertain times at Newcastle. (Image: Getty Images)
“It’s tough for Eddie, but you don’t know what’s going to happen to him. I listened to his interview afterwards and saw him on the touchline, but does he want to go again? Will he have a chance to go again?”
“There are so many moving parts for him. All things being equal, yes, I would like him to[stay]but does he feel he has a chance? Does he want to do it again? Will Newcastle have to sell?”
“If he has money to spend and he doesn’t have to sell, then yes. But I looked at the players yesterday and I think it’s because he’s under a lot of pressure to fight for the manager. Like it or not, they were terrible. They threw him under the bus, players. The performance was great by every player.”
“It’s a tough situation, a tough summer coming up for Newcastle. They have some big decisions to make. “As I sit here, unfortunately, I don’t think Eddie will be the manager of Newcastle next season.
“I’ve watched his post-match interviews and I don’t know if the fight is there. This club is very different to the one he wants to move on to. He doesn’t seem to be in a good position.”
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