Eddie Howe, according to presenter Simon Jordan, may not be Newcastle’s long-term manager if the club does not finish in the top six of the Premier League.
There has been much debate about whether Howe is the perfect man to lead Newcastle to the top, but so far he has exceeded expectations. Jordan said on talkSPORT that, while their current position is good, the owners will not want to be stuck in sixth place in three years.
Jordan says Newcastle cannot be content with sixth
“When the Public Investment Fund (PIF) assumed control in October 2021, as the club seemed headed for relegation, it’s improbable that they foresaw the team being in such a commanding position a little over two years later.
Newcastle is vigorously competing in the Champions League, facing a significant match against AC Milan tonight, striving for redemption after a bitter loss last season and maintaining a commendable standing in the league.
Nevertheless, Jordan anticipates that the ownership supported by Saudi Arabia will become impatient with Howe if they don’t witness tangible improvement in Newcastle’s performance over the coming year or two.
If the Magpies are still hovering around a Europa League position by this time next year or the following year, Jordan asserts that the club will seek a replacement for Howe to truly elevate the team to the next level.
During a talkSPORT appearance, Jordan stated, ‘Without undermining Eddie Howe in any way, he will guide them in the right direction and set them on the right path.'”
“Will he achieve the results that Amanda Staveley has indicated she desires? It’s evident that the Saudis also desire these outcomes; they’re not recklessly spending money in every aspect just to make Newcastle seem inferior.
“The approach they’ve taken is to downplay the immediate expectations. They’ve arrived with the intention to win and to do so swiftly, having a manager who has surpassed expectations in the short run.
“However, when we discuss the long-term goals, does that mean achieving this season? Because I believe that in three years, Newcastle won’t be content with simply finishing in the top six.”
Howe’s own success could lead to his downfall
The unexpected surge of Newcastle in the past couple of years, transitioning from a winless team until January to competing in venues like Milan, Paris, and Dortmund in the Champions League, has astounded everyone.
While financial resources have undeniably played a role, the remarkable shift in performance is largely credited to Howe and his coaching team. They’ve cultivated a new ethos at the club, vastly different from the toxic environment of the previous leadership.
Nevertheless, the achievement of reaching fourth place last season, well ahead of schedule, has elevated expectations significantly and now places immense pressure on Howe to replicate that success.
As per Jordan’s suggestion, there might be some understanding this season, considering the additional games and extensive injury list that have taken a toll on the squad. However, there’s no doubt that the club will anticipate an upturn in performance come next season.
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