Sky Sports analysts Gary Neville and Paul Merson have both come out in support of Eddie Howe, the Newcastle United manager, despite the recent dip in form that has seen the Magpies slide from a potential European spot to the lower half of the Premier League standings. Their comments came after Newcastle’s narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Saturday night, a match that, while showing clear improvement, still marked the club's fourth consecutive defeat in the league. The result left Newcastle sitting 14th with 42 points, a precarious position only six points above the relegation zone.
Both pundits were unequivocal: they do not believe Howe should be dismissed. Merson went a step further, suggesting that if Howe were to leave, Chelsea would be among the first clubs to line up for his signature as they continue their search for a permanent manager. "I’m a big fan of Eddie Howe and if he leaves, they will be queuing up around the corner. Be careful Newcastle," Merson said on the Sky Sports program Saturday Night Football.
"Chelsea would take him all day long. We were even talking about him as a potential England manager. Everyone will be queueing up to take him. It should be his decision if he wants to leave.
He won a trophy for the club for the first time in 70 years." Neville echoed the sentiment, urging Newcastle to back Howe and to start planning the squad for the next season with the aim of returning to the Champions League. On his podcast recorded at the Emirates over the weekend, the former Manchester United defender described the current campaign as "really disappointing" and pointed to a problematic transfer window that saw Newcastle acquire Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, signings that have yet to deliver the expected impact. "I think full faith and trust in Eddie Howe is the way to go," Neville argued.
"They've got a really good manager. At some clubs it's easier to say ‘let’s shift the manager and keep the players because they have five- or six‑year contracts’, but it’s absolutely the other way around at Newcastle." Neville continued, stressing the rarity of a manager who consistently delivers solid, reliable performances while maintaining a positive attitude. "If we lost him, we’d lose an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager, someone who is a real solid performer – reliable, consistent, someone with a great attitude," he said. He urged the club hierarchy to sit down with Howe and map out a clear plan for the upcoming transfer window, targeting four or five new players to strengthen the squad before the World Cup break.
"They’ll be thinking ‘if we lost him, we’ve lost an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager.’ They need to back him properly, buy into his vision, and give him the resources to push for a Champions League challenge next season." Howe himself acknowledged the upcoming meeting with Newcastle’s owners, describing it as a routine part of the season but hinting that this year’s discussions would be a bit tougher. "These are things we always have every year.
This one will be slightly harder for me, I’m sure, but it’ll be good to meet with the owners and discuss the future," he told Sky Sports on Saturday. Midfielder Bruno Guimarães offered a candid assessment of Newcastle’s season after the Arsenal game, noting that while the team finally displayed passion, the overall performance was still insufficient.
"This reminded me a little bit of what we are able to do but, to be fair, it’s not good enough. We have four games to save it and at least try to qualify for European football next season," Guimarães said.
He expressed empathy for the fans, acknowledging their disappointment and emphasizing the need for improvement. "The spark is still there somewhere, if you see the way we train well.
We fought well today but this season we have been bouncing between a good game and a bad game. It’s not what we want and it’s not what the fans deserve." Guimarães also touched on the club’s transfer policy, hoping for fresh faces to invigorate the squad after a grueling schedule across multiple competitions.
"I hope so. I cannot comment too much as I’m just a player but I think we have to improve a lot of things in the club. We need help," he added.
In summary, both Neville and Merson are urging Newcastle to stand firmly behind Eddie Howe, emphasizing his past achievements—most notably the historic trophy that ended a 70‑year drought—and his potential to guide the club back into European contention. They warn that dismissing Howe could trigger a rush of interest from top clubs, with Chelsea singled out as a likely suitor.
The consensus among the pundits is clear: Newcastle must provide Howe with the backing, both in terms of player recruitment and institutional support, to restore the Magpies’ fortunes and aim for Champions League qualification in the coming season. The upcoming board meeting will be crucial in setting the direction, and the players, led by voices like Guimarães, are eager for reinforcements that can translate the evident passion on the pitch into consistent, winning performances.