Ruud Gullit has been talking about Eddie Howe and Newcastle United.
The comments come with just over a week remaining of this 2025/26 season.
Ruud Gullit himself spent an ‘interesting’ 12 months as Newcastle United manager.
The former Ballon d’or winner took over at St James’ Park in August 1998 after Kenny Daglish’s early season departure.
August 1999 then saw Ruud Gullit make his own early season departure.
One point from the opening five Premier League matches of the season seeing the Dutch manager resign. His very final match a disastrous 2-1 home defeat to the Mackems after Gullit infamously didn’t start with either Alan Shearer or Duncan Ferguson and instead played inexperienced youngster Paul Robinson at centre-forward.
Moving forward 27 years to the present day and Ruud Gullit talking about the situation at St James’ Park these days.
Asked the question by MrRaffle .com: “Eddie Howe must be feeling pretty fortunate to be getting another season [at Newcastle United] after how difficult this one has been?”
Ruud Gullit replying: “Look, I think Eddie Howe has done well. I think he also expected certain players to come in — they didn’t, because of PSR.”
PSR of course also deprived Eddie Howe of the burgeoning talents of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.
Ruud Gullit going on to explain: “Going up the mountain is easy. Staying on the mountain is the most difficult part. The expectations are bigger. And in order to stay competitive, you need to bring in players who push the existing ones to give 100%. That didn’t happen. Now there’s a danger they lose Anthony Gordon in the summer because of it. You can’t blame Eddie Howe for that, though. I think he’s a great coach. He’s done very good things at that club.”
Following meetings with the Newcastle United owners two weeks ago, widely reported across the media that Eddie Howe will be still in charge next season.
A huge 2026/27 campaign awaits.