Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has said he would resign if he believed he was no longer the right person to lead the club, as pressure mounts following a run of poor results that has left the Magpies languishing in 12th place in the Premier League.
Howe’s comments came two days after Newcastle were booed off the pitch by their own supporters following a 3-2 home defeat to Brentford at St James’ Park on Saturday. The loss extended the club’s dismal run to just one win in their last eight games across all competitions.
Speaking on the eve of Newcastle’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Howe told reporters there was “no doubt in my mind” that he remained the right coach for the club, according to BBC Sport.
“That’s why I’m sitting here,” he said. “If there was doubt, I wouldn’t be – because the club is the most important thing. I’ve never put myself before the club.”
He added: “If I didn’t think I was the correct man to take the team forward, and I couldn’t give the players what they need, then I would step aside and let someone else do it.”
Howe admitted he was disappointed after the Brentford defeat and acknowledged he was “not doing my job well enough at the moment.” The performance prompted sharp criticism from fans who have grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s recent form.
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Despite the poor run, Howe retains the backing of Newcastle’s hierarchy. Since taking charge in November 2021, the 47-year-old has overseen a significant transformation at the club, guiding them to Champions League qualification twice and delivering their first major domestic trophy in 70 years by winning the Carabao Cup in 2023.
Newcastle’s current position of 12th in the Premier League table represents a sharp decline from the heights of last season, when they finished in the top four and qualified for European football’s elite competition. The slump has raised questions about whether the squad has the depth and quality to sustain success on multiple fronts.
Howe acknowledged he was going through one of the toughest periods of his tenure but said he was drawing on experience from previous difficult moments to help the team recover.
Newcastle now face a crucial run of fixtures that could define their season. They are set to play Tottenham in the Premier League, followed by a Champions League last-16 tie against Qarabag, where they are favourites to progress, and an FA Cup fourth-round match against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The manager’s ability to navigate this challenging period will be closely scrutinised by supporters and the club’s ownership, who have invested heavily in the squad since their takeover in October 2021.
