There is clear dissatisfaction inside Newcastle United with recent results, particularly in the Premier League, according to Chris Waugh of The Athletic.
That said, Waugh made it clear that an Eddie Howe firing is not imminent, and that he should remain in the post until next summer at the very least.
“Nobody inside Newcastle is content with present results, especially not in the Premier League,” Waugh wrote. Internally, there is an acknowledgement that cup progress has provided some balance, with Newcastle reaching
the Carabao Cup semi-final for the third time in four seasons. There is also the kinda-good UCL campaign of the Magpies, which are at arm’s length of reaching the knockout stage.
However, Waugh stresses that those factors will not ultimately count positively when it comes to determining Howe’s fate if the Premier League results don’t improve during the second half of the season, with NUFC currently as close to relegation as they are to a top-4 finish.
“Come May, unless the club has lifted further silverware, their top-flight finish will be what is most greatly scrutinised,” Waugh reported. “Newcastle cannot accept being 14th after 18 matches.”
Despite the putrid league form, Waugh made it clear that “the persistent message from the hierarchy is that there is no appetite for change.” Waugh described honchos David Hopkinson and Ross Wilson as “fully supportive of Howe,” and the insider thinks those two still believe Howe can move the club forward as they aim to establish themselves among the elite by the end of the decade.
“In that sense, Howe’s position appears safe until the summer at least,” Waugh reported, cautioning that results will dictate how long that stance holds, hinting at a possible late-season firing if the team keeps tanking in the EPL.
With a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City and a likely difficult Champions League knockout tie, Waugh warns that Howe may soon lose the cushion cup competitions have provided.
“At some stage,” Waugh wrote, “Howe must find a way of stringing multiple Premier League wins together in quick succession.”
