Newcastle United faced a tough post-match inquiry as questions arose over manager Eddie Howe’s position as he left the field at Selhurst Park on Sunday after losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace.
Pressure is mounting on Eddie Howe following Newcastle’s recent results (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s coaching team began immediate post-mortem examinations of the players who left the pitch at Selhurst Park on Sunday, but Eddie Howe’s position is not thought to be under threat.
After Howe greeted Crystal Palace’s away supporters after the 2-1 defeat, senior coach Graham Jones and the manager were in a heated discussion on the way to the tunnel. Unused substitutes such as Dan Byrne and Kieran Trippier were unable to hear from Howe at Selhurst’s Porta Cabin as they took part in short training sessions with fitness personnel, along with Nick Waltemaid, Jacob Ramsey and Ioan Wissa.
Tino Livramento, who had a substandard performance throughout the match as he was denied the equalizer, was called to the dugout for guidance, but seemed unconvinced by what set-piece coach Martin Mark and Jones were telling him. During the heat of the second period, manager Geordy Jones was spotted making firm gestures towards Libramento.
During the press conference, Howe was willing to admit that the team was unable to absorb the guidance given. It is understood that the team’s approach while leading 1-0 was considered after the game, before Howe gave further details publicly.
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The message on playing philosophy is expected to be reinforced during training this week after seeing the team basically ignore instructions and then lose a crucial game. Initial reports from club sources are that it will be “business as usual” until Saturday’s home match against AFC Bournemouth, sister title ChronicleLive reports.
Another loss to the Cherries would further intensify the speculation surrounding Howe, but the reality is that it would cost Newcastle millions of dollars to release him from his contract now. Meanwhile, The Athletic reports that Howe still maintains the support of the board and plans to review the situation in the summer.
The Toon’s owners, PIF, are watching from afar, but CEO David Hopkinson remains based in the area, making informed decisions from the ground in Tyneside. “As I’ve said many times, it’s not a tactical instruction we give to our players,” Howe said.
“We don’t want to lead 1-0 and change into a defensive mindset, but that’s what we’ve been doing, so you can’t say it didn’t happen. But if we’re going to defend, we have to defend more than ever and we had some chances, but we were still vulnerable towards the end of the game, which is very disappointing.”
Newcastle United are now 14th in the Premier League after losing to Crystal Palace at the weekend (Image: 2026 Jacques Feeney/Offside)
Howe held a meeting with CEO Hopkinson after the 2-1 derby defeat to Sunderland, but Toon insisted this was a normal meeting and not prompted by the derby defeat. There was some speculation that Howe would resign the moment he lost universal support from Newcastle fans, but he still enjoys support from some sections of the fan base.
If things don’t change, one theory suggests a mutual departure could occur, but it’s equally possible that Howe could reverse his fortunes in the final six games and secure a respectable finish. Newcastle United Supporters Club’s short post about X simply said: “25 points down from a winning position. Unacceptable.”
The Magpies are currently five points behind eighth-placed Everton, who qualify for the Europa Conference League. Howe also admitted after the game that he was playing against a “young team”, but refused to use that as an excuse.
Nevertheless, after Sven Botman and Livramento struggled against the Eagles, there are indications that players like Blyth players Byrne and Trippier could return to the starting lineup.
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