Eddie Howe said on Friday that he feels sympathy for managers fired last week amid another round of Premier League sackings, while acknowledging the pressures that come with the role.
Nottingham Forest parted ways with Sean Dyche shortly after their 0–0 draw with Wolves, while Thomas Frank lost his job at Tottenham following a 2–1 defeat to Howe’s Newcastle United.
Howe, whose side secured a very needed win against Spurs midweek, said he takes no satisfaction in seeing fellow managers lose their positions.
“It always saddens me when that happens,” Howe said. “You just have sympathy for every manager because you know how difficult the job is, and especially the modern-day life of a manager.”
Howe pointed to the speed of judgment in the current environment, perhaps knowing his seat is heating up in Tyneside.
“The sways and the speed of opinion changing is quicker, I think, than it’s ever been due to various different factors and forces that you have to compete against,” Howe said. “I have sympathies for any manager who loses their job.”
Newcastle have been quite inconsistent under Howe this season, and although there’s no better alternative to bring in at this point if the gaffer is sacked mid-season, the truth is that it might be time for a change sooner rather than later.
Howe, for one, said he does not dwell on speculation regarding his position.
“For me, I don’t think too deeply about it,” Howe said. “My immediate focus then goes back to myself and what I can do to help the team that I have, and that’s all that I can do every day.”
