'Fine margins': Pundit now says Newcastle United boss may find his job under intense scrutiny at end of season with legendary manager waiting in wings
Newcastle United fans, like every fanbase out there, are a fickle bunch, and all it takes is a poor result for some sections of the Toon Army to turn on the current manager.
Eddie Howe, for all the success and growth he has brought in his tenure at the club, is far from immune to that phenomenon.
There are those who have been "Howe Out" from the start and will gladly dismiss his accomplishments to further their agenda, while there are those who will turn on him one week and praise him the next, others who feel like he's doing a good job but isn't bulletproof when it comes to criticism, and of course there are those who thing the sun shines out of his derriere.
We fall into that penultimate category, but our patience is being tested this season, that's for sure. However, we're not at the "Howe Out" level just yet, especially when you consider all the mitigating factors this season, namely all the boardroom upheaval and a lack of a sporting director during the summer transfer window - look how that's turned out.
Stan Collymore thinks Eddie Howe's job could be on the line come summer
A Newcastle fan on X decided to ask Stan Collymore his opinion on Eddie Howe's job security over the weekend. Why they thought his opinion mattered at all, we're not sure, but we were quite surprised that he delivered quite a balanced response, even if he couldn't resist throwing out Jose Mourinho's name.
"I like to pull Geordies leg about Mourinho possibly twerking for the job and you only have to hear his last Benfica presser to know he's putting himself out there again. Don't underestimate Mendes, Mourinho, Saudi link.
"As for Eddie, super coach, learned from his ( defensive) achilles heel at Bournemouth and you're League Cup winners and CL, not to be underestimated.
"But big signings haven't lit the place up and one or two who've been superb last 2 seasons have plateaued. Don't think it's panic stations but will be interesting if you finish outside of any Europe this season. Think owners would look at it then. Another Cup win ( possible) though and he's doing his Job! Fine margins.
"I'm a reluctant ( thought his Bournemouth teams were incredibly naive, like Angeball lite) fan so hope he's given time."
We really wish this Jose Mourinho link would disappear
Jose Mourinho gets mentioned as a potential Newcastle United boss every time there's any kind of wobble, but it's just not going to happen. 'The Special One' hasn't been special for years, and even the PIF know that.
No matter how strong the Jorge Mendes, Mourinho, PIF link is, Mourinho is not what he once was, and he's no good for Newcastle. The game has moved on and left him behind.
We don't necessarily disagree that, should Newcastle miss out on Europe and fail to bag a trophy this season, Howe's job may be looked at by the board in the summer, but we don't think they'll pull the trigger on that unless we finish in the bottom half of the table. There's a long way to go, and anything can happen, but we expect Eddie Howe to be Newcastle manager again next season.
