Sky Sports analysts Gary Neville and Paul Merson have publicly stood behind Eddie Howe’s position at Newcastle United, even though the club has endured a disappointing spell of results that has seen the Magpies slide from a hopeful European contention to a mid‑table standing in the Premier League. Newcastle’s recent display against Arsenal on Saturday’s "Saturday Night Football" was a noticeable improvement in terms of intensity and organization, yet the visitors still fell 1‑0, marking their fourth consecutive league defeat. The loss has intensified scrutiny on Howe, who now finds his side sitting 14th with 42 points – a precarious six points above the relegation zone. Despite the mounting pressure, both pundits argued that dismissing Howe would be premature.
Merson went further, suggesting that Chelsea would be eager to hire him immediately as they continue their own search for a permanent manager. "I’m a huge fan of Eddie Howe and if he walks out, clubs will be lining up around the corner. Be careful, Newcastle," Merson said during the broadcast. "Chelsea would take him all day long.
We’ve even joked about him being the next England boss – everyone will be queuing to snap him up. It should be his decision if he wants to leave.
He delivered a trophy for the club for the first time in 70 years." Neville echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the club should start planning for the next season and give Howe the tools to steer Newcastle back toward Champions League qualification. On his recent podcast recorded at the Emirates, the former Manchester United defender lamented the season’s overall disappointment.
He highlighted the club’s transfer activity at the close of the summer window, noting that signings such as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have yet to make a significant impact. "I think full faith and trust in Eddie Howe is the way to go," Neville asserted.
"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’re on long contracts’; at Newcastle it’s the opposite.
Losing Howe would mean losing an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager – someone reliable, consistent, with a great attitude." Neville went on to outline what he believes should happen in the coming weeks. He expects the hierarchy to sit down with Howe to discuss the squad’s composition, identifying the players the manager wishes to retain and the targets he wants to bring in for the next campaign. "They’ll be thinking, ‘if we lose him, we’ve lost an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager, a solid performer.’ I hope they’re reviewing the roster with Eddie, saying ‘these are the players I need, these are the signings I want, let’s get them early while everyone is still thinking about the World Cup.’" He added that Newcastle need to back Howe unequivocally, invest in his vision, and give him the freedom to shape the team.
"That’s what I’d do if I were Newcastle because I think they have one of the very best managers and he can get them back up to challenge for Champions League spots next season." Howe himself acknowledged the upcoming meeting with the club’s owners, describing it as a routine part of the job but hinting that this particular discussion might be a bit more challenging. "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. Mid‑fielder Bruno Guimarães offered a candid appraisal of Newcastle’s campaign, admitting that while the side finally displayed a spark of passion in the narrow loss to title‑chasing Arsenal, the overall performance was still below the standards expected.
"This reminded me a little bit of what we are capable of, but to be fair it’s not good enough. We have four games left to try and salvage a European place for next season," he said. Guimarães expressed empathy for the supporters, acknowledging their disappointment and the need for immediate improvement. "The spark is still there somewhere – you can see it in training.
We fought well today, but this season we have been bouncing between good and bad performances. It’s not what we want and it’s not what the fans deserve. The fire is still there, but we have to show more because it’s not good enough," he added.
When asked whether he hoped the club would bring in new players after a grueling schedule that spanned multiple competitions, Guimarães responded cautiously. "I hope so. I can’t comment too much as I’m just a player, but we need to improve a lot of things at the club.
We need help," he said, underscoring the desire for reinforcement in the squad. The broader context of Newcastle’s situation is worth noting. After a historic FA Cup triumph under Howe – the club’s first major trophy in seven decades – expectations rose dramatically. The subsequent league form, however, has been erratic, with the team oscillating between promising displays and frustrating defeats.
Injuries, inconsistent defensive performances, and a lack of depth in certain positions have contributed to the dip. The club’s recent signings, while showing potential, have not yet delivered the immediate impact required to lift the team out of the lower half of the table.
Looking ahead, the window for strategic planning is narrowing. The Premier League season will conclude in May, and with the transfer market reopening in the summer, Newcastle must decide whether to double down on Howe’s long‑term project or consider a managerial change. Both Neville and Merson argue that the former is the wiser route, citing Howe’s tactical acumen, his ability to develop young talent, and his proven track record of extracting performances beyond the perceived quality of his squads.
They also warn that a premature dismissal could trigger a cascade of interest from other top clubs, potentially leaving Newcastle with a managerial vacuum and a demoralized dressing room. In summary, while the Magpies endure a rough patch, the consensus among seasoned pundits is that Eddie Howe remains the right man to steer the club back to the upper echelons of English football. The upcoming discussions between Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy will be pivotal, determining whether the club backs its manager with the necessary resources and patience to rebuild, or opts for a new direction amid the pressure of a challenging season.