Sky Sports analysts Gary Neville and Paul Merson have both come out in support of Eddie Howe’s position at Newcastle United, even though the club’s recent form has been disappointing. A string of poor results has seen the Magpies tumble from the upper echelons of the European qualification race to a mid‑table spot in the Premier League.
The most recent match, a tightly contested game against Arsenal on Saturday Night Football, ended in a 1‑0 defeat for Newcastle. It marked the fourth consecutive league loss and has intensified scrutiny on Howe, who now finds himself under considerable pressure. Newcastle sit 14th on the table with 42 points, a precarious position that places them only six points above the relegation zone.
Despite the mounting concerns, neither Neville nor Merson believes that Howe should be dismissed. Merson went so far as to suggest that Chelsea would be eager to hire the Newcastle boss immediately if he were to become available. "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 during the broadcast.
"Chelsea would take him all day long. We were even talking about him being the next England manager. Everyone will be lining 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 added that he hopes Newcastle are already planning for the next season and that Howe can guide the Magpies back into Champions League contention. In a recent episode of the Gary Neville Podcast recorded at the Emirates, the former Manchester United defender reflected on the club’s disappointing campaign: "The transfer business at the end of the summer window was a real problem for them. They ended up with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa and that hasn’t paid off yet. I think full faith and trust in Eddie Howe is the way to go." He continued, "They have a really good manager.
At some clubs it’s easier to say ‘let’s change the manager and keep the players because they have long contracts’, but it’s the opposite at Newcastle. If we lost him, we’d lose an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager – a solid performer, reliable, consistent, with a great attitude." Neville believes the club should sit down with Howe soon to map out the squad’s future.
"I hope they’re meeting with Eddie, going through the squad, and he’s saying ‘these are the players I want, these are the ones I’ll bring in for next season, I want to sign four or five quality additions and get the business done early while everyone is thinking about the World Cup’." He praised the current side, saying, "They’re a really good team, I enjoy watching them, and they need to back their manager properly, buy into his vision, and support him fully. That’s what I’d do if I were Newcastle because I think they have one of the best managers in the league and he can get them back to challenging for Champions League places next season." Howe is scheduled to meet the Newcastle hierarchy later this week.
When asked about the upcoming talks, he told Sky Sports, "These are things we 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." Mid‑fielder Bruno Guimarães offered a candid assessment of the season, acknowledging that the team finally displayed genuine passion in the narrow loss to title‑chasing Arsenal. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, "This reminded me a little of what we are capable of, but to be fair, it’s not good enough. Our season has been below expectations.
We have four games left to try and secure European football for next season." Guimarães admitted the fans share the players’ disappointment, adding, "I know the fans are very sad – the same as we are – and we definitely have to improve. The spark is still there somewhere; you can see it in training.
We fought well today, but this season we’ve been bouncing between good and bad performances. It’s not what we want and it’s not what the fans deserve." He emphasized the need for consistency, stating, "I can see the fire still there, but we have to show more because it’s not good enough.
It’s not easy with a team fighting for a trophy. At least today we showed passion, but overall it wasn’t sufficient." When asked whether the club should bring in fresh faces after a grueling schedule across multiple competitions, Guimarães replied, "I hope so. I can’t comment too much as I’m just a player, but we need to improve many aspects of the club. We need help." Both pundits and players seem to agree that Newcastle’s season has been a roller‑coaster, marked by moments of promise but ultimately undermined by inconsistency and a lack of depth in the squad.
The criticism of the summer transfer window highlights a broader issue: the club’s recruitment strategy has not delivered the expected impact, leaving the manager to work with a roster that may lack the quality needed to compete consistently at the top level. Neville’s call for “full faith and trust” in Howe underscores a belief that stability at the managerial level could provide the foundation for a more coherent transfer policy and a clearer tactical identity. By retaining Howe, Newcastle could avoid the disruption that often follows a mid‑season managerial change, allowing the existing squad to develop under a consistent philosophy.
Merson’s speculation about Chelsea’s interest adds another layer to the narrative. If a club of Chelsea’s stature were truly eyeing Howe, it would suggest that his reputation extends beyond the current struggles at Newcastle, recognizing his achievements, including the historic trophy win that broke a 70‑year drought for the club. However, such speculation also raises questions about Newcastle’s ability to retain top talent when larger clubs show interest.
Looking ahead, the next few fixtures are crucial. With only four games remaining, Newcastle must secure points to climb out of the relegation‑threat zone and aim for a respectable league finish that could guarantee European competition for the following season. The club’s board, coaching staff, and players will need to align on a clear plan, potentially involving strategic signings in the January window, to address the gaps identified by both the pundits and the squad itself.
In summary, while the recent run of form has been disappointing, the consensus among the Sky Sports panel is that Eddie Howe remains a valuable asset for Newcastle United. Both Neville and Merson argue that the club should back him, invest in the squad, and give him the time needed to rebuild. The upcoming meeting between Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy will be a pivotal moment, setting the tone for the remainder of the season and the club’s long‑term direction.