Sky Sports analysts Gary Neville and Paul Merson have both come out in support of Eddie Howe’s tenure at Newcastle United, despite a recent slump that has seen the Magpies tumble from European contention to the lower half of the Premier League standings. Newcastle managed to put in a noticeably better display against Arsenal on Saturday night, but the effort still resulted in a 1-0 loss – marking their fourth consecutive defeat in the league.
The string of setbacks has placed Howe under intense scrutiny, with the club currently sitting 14th on the table with 42 points, a mere six points clear of the relegation zone. Both pundits, however, argue that dismissing Howe would be premature.
Merson went further, suggesting that Chelsea would be quick to snap him up as they continue their search for a permanent manager. "I’m a huge fan of Eddie Howe, and if he walks out the door, you’ll see a line forming around the corner.
Newcastle need to be careful," Merson told the audience on Saturday Night Football. "Chelsea would take him all day long.
We’ve even joked about him becoming the next England manager – everyone will be queuing to sign him. It should be his decision whether he stays or leaves. He delivered a trophy for the club for the first time in 70 years." Neville added that he hopes the club and Howe are already planning for next season, aiming to restore the Magpies to Champions League contention.
On his recent podcast recorded at the Emirates, the former Manchester United defender described the campaign as "really disappointing" and highlighted the problematic transfer activity at the close of the summer window. "They ended up with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, and those deals haven’t paid off yet," Neville explained.
He emphasized that maintaining confidence in Howe is the sensible route. "They have a fantastic manager. At some clubs it’s easier to say ‘let’s change the manager and keep the players because they’re on long contracts.’ At Newcastle it’s the opposite.
Losing Howe would mean losing an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager – a solid, reliable performer with a great attitude." Neville went on to outline what he believes should happen in the upcoming board meeting: "I hope they sit down with Eddie, review the squad, and hear his plan – which players he wants to keep, which positions need reinforcement, and which targets he’d like to bring in early while everyone’s still thinking about the World Cup." He praised the current squad, saying, "They’re a good side to watch, but they need proper backing – the board must back the manager, buy into his vision, and give him the resources he needs. If they do that, I think they can be challenging for Champions League spots next season." Howe is scheduled to meet Newcastle’s hierarchy later this week.
When asked about the meeting by Sky Sports, he responded, "We have these discussions every year. This one will be a bit tougher for me, I’m sure, but it’ll be good to sit with the owners and talk about the future." Midfielder Bruno Guimarães offered a candid assessment of the season, acknowledging that the team finally displayed "passion" in the narrow defeat to title‑chasing Arsenal. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, "It reminded me a little of what we’re capable of, but honestly it’s not good enough. I know our season isn’t where we want it to be." Guimarães added, "We have four games left to try and salvage the campaign and at least secure European football for next season.
The fans are as disappointed as we are, and we need to improve." He highlighted the inconsistency that has plagued Newcastle, noting that the squad has oscillated between strong and weak performances. "The spark is still there, you can see it in training. We fought well today, but this season we’ve been bouncing between good and bad games.
It’s not what the fans deserve." He also spoke about the need for fresh faces, saying, "I hope the club brings in new players after such a grueling schedule across competitions. I can’t comment too much as a player, but we definitely need to improve many aspects of the club. We need help." Both Neville and Merson’s comments underline a common theme: while recent results have been disappointing, the belief in Howe’s long‑term project remains strong.
They argue that stability, strategic recruitment, and unwavering support from the board could see Newcastle rebound from their current mid‑table slump to once again challenge for European spots. The upcoming board meeting will be a crucial juncture, determining whether the club backs its manager fully or opts for a change of direction. The next few fixtures will also be pivotal, as the Magpies aim to turn the tide and finish the season on a higher note.