Newcastle United fans and Eddie Howe.
A ‘lively’ debate in full flow.
Ructions amongst the fanbase.
Newcastle United fans arguing over who should be leading the team in four months time when the 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off.
Eddie Howe or…somebody else?
Those who want to see change, accusing other Newcastle United fans of simply having blind faith. Blind faith in terms of believing Eddie Howe is the one to get Newcastle United back on track next season.
Those who want change, making the accusation that just because Eddie Howe won a trophy, that doesn’t mean he should keep his job. These Newcastle United fans pointing to this season in the Premier League as ‘proof’ Howe isn’t up to the job. That it would be ridiculous ‘blind faith’ to believe he is then the one to turn it around.
I find it hilarious that so many of these Newcastle United fans would claim it is blind faith for those of us who see Eddie Howe as still the right man for the job. “Why?” I hear you ask. Well, those who are determined to get rid of Eddie Howe are believing that whoever replaces him would do a far better job, based purely on…blind faith.
Most of them don’t even have a clue who would be this brilliant replacement.
When these Newcastle United fans do put forward names, they tend to be unrealistic (Pep Guardiola etc), those who were successful back in the day, many years ago (Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez etc), overseas managers who have never experienced the Premier League (basically anybody in a foreign league that is doing well at the moment), or managers at smaller Premier League clubs who are perceived to have done well against the odds (Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner etc).
How ironic is that???
Sticking with Eddie Howe would be seen as blind faith by certain Newcastle United fans, whilst at the same time thinking that say Andoni Iraola would be the perfect replacement. A manager who has never won a trophy, never even qualified for Europe with any club he has managed.
Making the Eddie Howe debate all about the fact he has won a trophy in deflecting from the real truth.
Eddie Howe season by season at Newcastle United
2021/22 – Saved from certain relegation, 3rd best form of all Premier League clubs across second half of season.
2022/23 – Finished fourth, qualified for Champions League first time in two decades and NUFC in a cup final for first time in 24 years.
2023/24 – Finished 7th on 60 points (six points off top five) despite worse season for injuries in living memory and having a Champions League campaign to contend with. Denied a cup semi-final when conceding final seconds at Chelsea. Deprived of European football due to Man U shock win over Man City in cup final.
2024/25 – Finished 5th and qualified for Champions League once again. Won League Cup having defeated Forest, Chelsea, Arsenal (twice) and Liverpool.
2025/26 – Semi-final of League Cup and last 16 of FA Cup, knocked out by 115+ Premier League charges Man City. Played 12 games in Champions League and denied a place in quarter-finals by Barcelona. One of nine clubs (6th to 14th) separated by six points. The NUFC owners having turned summer 2025 into a total shambles that completely undermined Eddie Howe’s preparations for such a hugely challenging season and then so many injuries (and suspensions) impacting a season where Newcastle have had to play more matches than any team playing in a major European league.
All of the above is to a backdrop where Newcastle United have only the eighth highest wage bill, overwhelmingly seen as the biggest factor in determining which clubs are most likely to be successful.
Eddie Howe has made mistakes this season. Indeed, like every manager, he has made mistakes every season.
What he has achieved these last four and a half years has been truly astonishing. Winning a trophy after our club had gone so long without one, was always going to stand out. However, to try to make the argument about whether he stays as manager, all about winning that trophy, is ridiculous.
The reason why myself and so many other Newcastle United fans retain faith in Eddie Howe, is because of what he has done across these five seasons. To do so well in the Premier League season after season, outperforming where the club’s wage bill suggests NUFC should be, is simply brilliant.
The league results have been so frustrating this season but having had the challenges he has faced, especially the number of games and the number of injuries and the shambles the club’s owners were responsible for last summer, then I am more than happy to believe that Eddie Howe should be the one leading this Newcastle United team into the 2026/27 season.
Putting blind faith in a random alternative would be a hugely backward step at this point, better to put your faith in somebody who has proved himself time after time at Newcastle United. Supporting a quality manager when times get tough is surely the least Eddie Howe should expect from Newcastle United fans.