Add as preferred source on Google
Based on David Hopkinson’s comments on Eddie Howe, the Newcastle United manager could be gearing up for an era-defining run of seven games in charge of the club.
Howe is the greatest manager Newcastle have had in modern history but that does not mean he gets a free pass forever.
This has been a truly disappointing season for Newcastle United and the defeat to Sunderland before the international break was as painful as they come.
Do you think PIF have lost interest in Newcastle United? 🤔
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Stu Forster via Getty Images
While there are no genuine suggestions that Howe will be leaving soon, Hopkinson offered a rather vague update on his standing in the dugout late last month.
He said (via BBC Sport): “Eddie is our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we will talk about the future when it’s time.”
Seven games to define Howe’s future at Newcastle United
It seems that a decision will be made at the end of the season, which many would argue is already over for Newcastle.
Still, PIF expect Newcastle to qualify for Europe, and the run-in will tell supporters a lot about how much juice the Howe era has left in it.
An absolute legend but there’s no coming back from this…
Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA
Indeed, Howe has been talking about a lack of training time all season given the relentless fixture schedule.
While supporters may not want to hear that, he’s hardly wrong to point it out.
Now, however, that excuse can no longer fly. Newcastle have a clear run at the final seven games and it would be reasonable to expect a significant improvement.
If there’s a decision to be made on Howe at the end of the season, he will build up some credit by steering the team into some kind of European competition.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
If he doesn’t despite that extra training time, those above him could hardly be blamed for thinking the whole thing has run out of steam.
There are some winnable-looking games between now and the end of the season.
If things do not significantly improve, Hopkinson could hardly be blamed for wanting to see what else is out there.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox