Newcastle United’s choice to continue with current manager Eddie Howe is not surprising, given the horrible luck the club has had at St. James’ Park in the 2023/24 season, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Magpies have failed to capitalize on last season’s success and are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League for the second consecutive season.
Newcastle are still vying for a spot in either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League next season, and they may believe that this season may still be a success. Howe has come under fire in recent weeks, becoming a victim of his own success, having led the Tyneside club on a steady upward trend until this season.
Newcastle’s difficult season, with Howe questioned
Newcastle have had a more tough 2023/24 season than the previous one. The Magpies hope to ensure European football at St. James’ Park next season, but will lose out on the Champions League owing to a variety of factors.
While Howe will accept responsibility for some of his team’s mistakes, he has looked more unlikely given the ailments that have plagued his club. Key players like Alexander Isak have spent significant time on the sidelines recovering from setbacks. Since the turn of the year, Joelinton and goalkeeper Nick Pope have combined to play only a few minutes.
Newcastle also lost their signature summer signing, Sandro Tonali, until August after the midfielder was punished for violating FIFA’s gambling restrictions. The inadequacies in Howe’s roster have finally resulted in a drop-off from the previous season, when they finished fourth in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League.
Howe’s side are presently eighth in the Premier League, two points behind seventh-placed West Ham United and four behind sixth-placed Manchester United. A Carabao Cup last-eight defeat on penalties against Chelsea in December 2023 robbed them of the opportunity to visit Wembley Stadium twice in two years, having made the final the previous season.
An FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on March 16th is the Toon’s sole chance of winning a trophy.
Jacobs also told GIVEMESPORT (1st March) that Howe has the support of the Newcastle board, despite the club’s terrible results. A 3-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 2nd will have allayed doubts over the 46-year-old’s future on Tyneside, but the head coach hopes form continues until the end of the campaign.
Ben Jacobs – Newcastle showing ‘loyalty and stability’ with Howe wouldn’t be a surprise
Jacobs believes that Howe’s position could be unfairly judged based on his achievement in the 2022/23 season, when he led Newcastle to Champions League qualification. The journalist also implies that the Magpies’ season’s faults are not necessarily unique to Howe. Jacobs said:
“Newcastle haven’t had great luck with injuries, despite being in the top half of the Premier League. They are less likely to qualify for the Champions League. But, if they hadn’t won the Champions League last season and were aiming for Europa League football this season, I believe most people would be satisfied with Howe. I’m not sure if Newcastle’s season issues are particular to Howe.
“So, despite the media buzz, I wouldn’t be surprised if Newcastle persisted with Howe and demonstrated loyalty and stability. Especially as Dan Ashworth is on gardening leave and on the verge of signing a deal to join Manchester United.”
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