Sky Sports analysts Gary Neville and Paul Merson have publicly stood behind Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, even though the Magpies have endured a slump that has seen them tumble from the fringes of European qualification to the lower half of the Premier League standings. Their comments came after Newcastle delivered a markedly better display against Arsenal on Saturday’s edition of "Saturday Night Football," only to suffer a narrow 1-0 defeat – the club's fourth consecutive loss in the league. The string of setbacks has placed Howe under intense scrutiny, with Newcastle currently sitting 14th on the table with 42 points, a precarious six points clear of the relegation zone.
Despite the pressure, neither pundit believes the manager’s tenure should be jeopardised. Merson went further, suggesting that a club like Chelsea would be eager to recruit Howe as they continue their own search for a permanent head coach.
"I’m a huge fan of Eddie Howe and if he were to leave, clubs would be lining up around the corner. Newcastle need to be careful," Merson said on the broadcast. "Chelsea would take him all day long.
We’ve even talked about him potentially becoming England manager. Everyone will be queuing up for him. It should be his decision if he wants to move on – after all, he delivered a trophy for Newcastle for the first time in 70 years." Neville echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Newcastle should already be planning for the next season and that Howe has the capacity to guide the Magpies back into Champions League contention.
In a recent episode of "The Gary Neville Podcast" recorded at the Emirates, the former defender lamented 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." He continued, "I think full faith and trust in Eddie Howe is the way to go. They have a really good manager. At some clubs you can 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 would lose an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager – solid, reliable, consistent, with a great attitude." Neville also speculated on the upcoming strategic meetings between Howe and the club’s hierarchy. "I hope they’re sitting down with Eddie and mapping out the squad. He’ll be saying ‘these are the players I want, these are the ones I need to bring in for next season, I want to secure four or five signings early while everyone is thinking about the World Cup.’ They have a good side, I enjoy watching them, and they need to back their manager properly, buy into his vision.
That’s what I’d do if I were Newcastle – they have one of the best managers around and I believe he can get them challenging for Champions League places again." Howe himself acknowledged the routine nature of these discussions, noting to 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‑season reflections from the players added further perspective. Bruno Guimarães offered a candid assessment of Newcastle’s campaign, admitting that while the team finally displayed "passion" in the narrow loss to title‑chasing Arsenal, overall performances have been inconsistent. "This reminded me a little of what we are capable of, but to be fair, it’s not good enough.
We have four games left to save the season and at least try to qualify for European football next season," he told Sky Sports. "I know the fans are very sad – the same as we are – and we definitely have to improve." Guimarães highlighted the erratic nature of Newcastle’s form, noting that the squad has been bouncing between good and bad displays. "The spark is still there somewhere – you can see it in training.
We fought well today, but this season we’ve been alternating between strong and weak performances. It’s not what we want and it’s not what the fans deserve.
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’s not enough," he added.
When asked about the prospect of fresh signings to bolster the squad after a grueling schedule across multiple competitions, Guimarães expressed optimism but remained cautious. "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," he said.
Both Neville and Merson underscored the importance of strategic planning ahead of the January transfer window. They argued that Newcastle must act decisively to secure quality targets, especially given the competitive nature of the market and the looming World Cup, which could affect player availability and valuation. The pundits suggested that Newcastle should focus on reinforcing key areas such as central defence, midfield creativity, and striking options, potentially targeting players whose contracts are expiring or who are looking for a fresh challenge.
In addition to squad reinforcement, the analysts highlighted the need for a clear footballing philosophy. They urged Howe to implement a consistent tactical approach that maximises the strengths of his existing players while integrating new arrivals seamlessly.
Neville pointed out that Newcastle’s recent performances have shown flashes of high‑pressing, quick‑transition football, but a lack of defensive solidity has often undermined their efforts. "If they can tighten up at the back and keep the intensity up, they have the tools to climb the table," Neville said. Merson added that the managerial market is currently volatile, with several top clubs searching for permanent appointments after periods of caretaker leadership.
He warned that if Newcastle were to lose Howe, the club could face a bidding war, potentially losing him to a club with greater financial clout. "Chelsea would take him all day long," he reiterated, emphasizing that the Magpies need to act quickly to secure Howe’s future and demonstrate their commitment to his project.
Overall, the consensus among the Sky Sports pundits is that Eddie Howe remains one of the Premier League’s most capable managers, capable of turning Newcastle’s fortunes around if given the appropriate support, resources, and time. Their message to the club’s board is clear: back the manager, invest wisely in the transfer market, and maintain a long‑term vision that aligns with Howe’s tactical philosophy.
Only then can Newcastle realistically aim to return to the upper echelons of English football and perhaps, in due course, re‑enter the Champions League conversation.