Sky Sports analysts Gary Neville and Paul Merson have both come out in defence of Eddie Howe’s position at Newcastle United, even though the club’s recent form has seen them tumble from European contention to the lower half of the Premier League table. 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 fourth league loss in a row. The string of setbacks has placed considerable pressure on Howe, with the Magpies now sitting 14th with 42 points, a precarious six points above the relegation zone. Despite the mounting concerns, neither pundit believes the manager should be dismissed.
In fact, Merson went so far as to suggest that Chelsea would be eager to hire Howe immediately if he ever decided to leave. "I’m a huge fan of Eddie Howe and if he walks out the door, clubs will be lining up around the corner. Newcastle need to be careful," Merson said 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 up for his services. It should be his decision if he wants to move on. He delivered a trophy for the club for the first time in 70 years, after all." Neville echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the club should already be planning for the next season and that Howe has the credentials to guide Newcastle back into 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 club’s transfer missteps at the close of the summer window. He noted that signings such as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have yet to make a meaningful 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 you can replace a manager and keep the players because they’re on long contracts, but at Newcastle it’s the opposite. Losing Howe would be like losing an eight‑and‑a‑half out of ten manager – someone who is solid, reliable, consistent and has a great attitude." Neville went on to speculate about the upcoming meeting between Howe and the club’s hierarchy.
He imagined a scenario where Howe would outline his squad plans, identifying the players he wants to retain, the areas that need reinforcement, and the target signings for the next campaign. "They’ll be thinking, ‘if we lose him, we’ve lost a manager who delivers results,’" Neville said.
"I hope they sit down with Eddie, go through the squad, and he says, ‘these are the players I need, these are the profiles I’m looking for, let’s get them in early while everyone’s still focused on the World Cup.’" The former defender concluded with optimism: "They’re a really good side, I enjoy watching them, and they need to back their manager properly. That’s what I’d do if I were Newcastle – support Howe, trust his vision, and I think he can get them back up fighting for Champions League spots next season." Howe himself confirmed that a meeting with the club’s owners is scheduled for the week, describing it as a routine part of the season but acknowledging it will be a bit more challenging this time around. "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.
Mid‑fielder Bruno Guimarães offered a candid appraisal of Newcastle’s season, admitting that despite showing a spark of passion in the narrow loss to title‑chasing Arsenal, the overall performance was insufficient. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, "It reminded me a little of what we are capable of, but honestly it’s not good enough. We have four games left to try to salvage the season and at least secure European football for next year." Guimarães expressed empathy for the supporters, acknowledging their disappointment.
"The fans are sad, we are sad, and we have to improve," he said. He praised the team’s training intensity, noting that the "spark is still there somewhere" and that the squad fought hard, but the inconsistency between good and bad performances has been a major issue.
When asked about potential new signings to bolster the squad after a demanding schedule across multiple competitions, Guimarães was cautious but hopeful. "I hope we bring in fresh faces.
I can’t comment much as a player, but we need to improve many aspects of the club. We need help," he added. In summary, both Neville and Merson are urging Newcastle United to stand by Eddie Howe, emphasizing his proven track record, his ability to inspire the squad, and the risk of losing a manager of his calibre. They argue that with the right backing, strategic recruitment, and a clear plan for the upcoming season, Howe can steer the Magpies back toward the upper echelons of English football.
The upcoming discussions between Howe and the club’s leadership will be pivotal in shaping Newcastle’s direction for the remainder of the campaign and beyond.