Newcastle state of play with Howe's team in a slump and Nagelsmann linked
Eddie Howe has admitted the success, failure (or somewhere inbetween) of Newcastle United's season has yet to be determined.
But one question people have started to ask is whether Howe’s job is on the line in the next two months. Leading German paper Sport Bild even had Howe’s successor lined up this week, claiming that Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is wanted to take over after the Euros.
The simple answer is that Howe has the support of director Amanda Staveley and her team who run the club day to day. But the fact rival fans - and a small number of the Toon faithful - are wondering, shows that Newcastle are battling a slump on the pitch, and at this stage there are so many unknowns.
Of course any briefing from a club’s hierarchy always totally backs the incumbent. Until they don’t, and wield the axe! There can be no black and white area to that question.
My personal opinion is that Howe will still be in charge next season, and given the chance to reboot his ailing squad. However it is the opinion of the club’s ruling paymasters in Riyadh that actually counts. In July PIF chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan said he wanted to “be No1.”
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How quickly? Is he a patient man? Did they expect better, two years into their £550m spend? Crucially, do they want global, big-name impact and eyeballs on their club created by a world renown, famous manager? Or are they happy with a club-building, expert coach?
There is certainly plenty at stake over the next few weeks. Looking optimistically, Newcastle are three wins from their greatest season in living memory. Winning the FA Cup would make legends of Howe and his squad, and remove any prospect of upheaval for a few years. They might revive their league form, and still have a realistic shot at finishing seventh, which might be enough to get into Europe next season.
The storming start to the season, and one of the club’s finest ever performances, 4-1 against PSG, was only four months ago. A strong finish could see them get into sixth, but that looks far off at the moment given the seven point gap with Man U. All this is within grasp, but, given current form, it’s swaying towards unlikely.
Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with the Newcastle job (Getty Images)Looking pessimistically, United have drawn Manchester City away in the quarter finals. They are also tenth in the league - and finishing there would be an embarrassment. They are in a rut of relegation form - 11 points from the last 12 league games.
At the start of the campaign I thought finishing seventh would be a good par for the course finish, given the extra demands. Eighth might be excusable - but ninth, tenth or 11ths, and you are no better than the mid-table Mike Ashley era, only having spent hundreds of millions.
The club needs to be in Europe every season, for fun, adventure, an extra trophy chance, income, and to attract players. They will be down £40m from missing out on the Champions League this season - hardly ideal given their financial fair play situation.
Since early December lots has gone wrong. Freak injuries have hugely hampered the campaign. Unable to bring on subs for the hard pressing front line after 60 minutes, or rotate the best 11, has led to fatigue, mental and physical. These factors weigh in favour of Howe getting another chance to rebuild.
The stressed expression on Howe’s face during the latest poor performance and penalty shootout at Blackburn suggests he knows there is a lot riding on the cup run and the last 12 league games. Is he on trial like he says his players are playing for their futures?
Yasir Al-Rumayyan wants Newcastle to be 'number one' - is Howe the man to get them there? (Getty Images)Howe has a sensible take on the current situation, saying: “This season has been all of those things (frustrating and disappointing) up to this point. It has been very challenging. When you start the season it could be one thing but there have been so many scenarios that have happened that have led us to this point.
“I think we will be better for it. The squad will be better for it, we will be better for it and the thought we could have had another season where everything seemed to go for us again, that very rarely happens in football. It’s how you navigate the situation and come back better.
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“We need the players to be excited and ambitious, thinking brightly about the future. I always have a positive outlook. I’ve been in football long enough that it changes very quickly both for and against. You have to commit to everything you do.
"Be at your best you can every day. Hopefully if you do, good things are around the corner. This season can still be very special for us but we have to make it happen.”
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