Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe did meet Toon chiefs after the 2-1 loss to Bournemouth, but wild social media claims aren’t true
09:00, 19 Apr 2026Updated 09:03, 19 Apr 2026
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe speaks to assistant Jason Tindall(Image: Getty Images)
Eddie Howe did not shirk the post-game lap of appreciation at the final whistle against AFC Bournemouth after suffering a third straight defeat in a row in the Premier League.
But those laps are getting smaller by the week, and they were jeered by the Gallowgate End after Sunderland, Howe and his backroom team stopped short of entering the final third of the pitch as the stadium began to empty. Some fans were making their feelings clear after another empty defeat.
Howe had vowed to fight on the eve of the game and hoped that his players would heed that advice. But they proved to be hollow words, and this defeat once again highlighted serious issues in the camp.
The £69million club record signing Nick Woltemade can’t get close to starting a game in his correct position, £55m Yoane Wissa arrived at the stadium alone and left alone without getting a kick and too many players threw the towel in early.
There were rumours after the game that Howe had been held back by Toon chiefs for an explanation following the defeat. Those suggestions are understood to be untrue, with Howe holding his usual post-game debrief with sporting director Ross Wilson and performance director James Bunce.
Before the game, Chronicle Live reported how only a “sober analysis” of Howe’s performance as boss would take place. And with five games to go, that appears to still be the case.
The full-time boos could be heard by CEO David Hopkinson and Wilson in the executive seats. Wilson was sat next to the club’s head of football strategy and former Sunderland and Hibernian boss Jack Ross for Saturday’s game.
But as things stand, an end-of-season performance review is on the cards. Howe was clear in his assessment and told journalists: “We are not delivering what we want and we have to accept that.
“I’m beginning to say the same things as well, and that’s a huge frustration for all of us, and that’s the players feeling that frustration as much as anyone else.”
Yes, it is relegation form – no matter what you look at it
The fear at the turn of the year on Tyneside was that cup success was papering over the cracks.
With the FA Cup and Carabao Cup runs ended by Man City weeks ago, the Champions League exit to Barcelona shone a light on the true state of United’s class of 2026. Newcastle highest Premier League position of this calendar year was sixth after the 4-3 win over Leeds.
But since then Newcastle have won just two top-flight matches at St James’ Park. They have lost eight of their last 11 Premier League matches and according to Opta they’ve lost more than any other Prem side.
The Premier League’s dreaded form table says a lot too, Newcastle sit fourth bottom level on points with Wolves since match day 23 with only goal difference keeping them out of the bottom three.
Dressing room admission
It was a player on his way out of Newcastle that was left to do all the talking after the game. Toon players have the option to avoid reporters these days with one nominated player taken to meet the media after the game.
Kieran Trippier took on that responsibility after the 2-1 loss to Bournemouth and admitted that he would take the criticism on the chin.
Trippier said after the game: “We’re so disappointed and frustrated. Especially with how we conceded that second goal.
“As a senior player I’ll take any criticism that comes my way. “We’ve been a real force at home in recent seasons – but we’ve fallen short this year. We have to start getting wins and fast.
“We’re hurting in the dressing room right now. And we understand the supporters. But we have to stick together.”
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