SIMON JORDAN QUESTIONS IF CEO DAVID HOPKINSON ACTUALLY CONTROLS EDDIE HOWE'S FATE
Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson refuses to guarantee Eddie Howe’s future following a devastating Tyne-Wear derby loss.
Earlier this week, Newcastle United’s CEO, David Hopkinson, spoke about Eddie Howe’s future at St. James'. James' Park. Howe took over after Steve Bruce left in November 2021 and quickly turned things around. Thanks in part to a solid January transfer window, he helped Newcastle avoid relegation. By his first full season, the team surprised many by finishing in the Premier League’s top four, securing Champions League football, and reaching their first major cup final since 1999, although they fell 2-0 to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final.
Howe also brought some silverware to Newcastle, ending a 70-year wait for major domestic trophies with a Carabao Cup win over Liverpool last season. Given these achievements and another Champions League qualification, his job seemed safe. But in a recent press briefing, Hopkinson was noticeably less forthcoming about Howe’s long-term role at the club.
This contrasts with Hopkinson’s earlier statements, especially on talkSPORT in February, where he expressed strong backing for Howe, praising his work and noting how admired he is across the league and even the national team setup. Back then, Hopkinson said, “Eddie’s our manager and an extraordinary one. Many clubs envy what he’s doing, and he has our full support.”
However, after Newcastle suffered a defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, dropping into the bottom half of the table and facing a tough path to secure European football again, Hopkinson’s tone shifted. He told The Gazette, “I don’t have a stance on his future right now." The derby loss really hurt us. We take that seriously. I had a detailed conversation with Eddie recently about many things, including that defeat. Eddie is our manager, and I expect a strong finish to the season. We’ll discuss the future when the time comes. Our focus remains on this season’s competition.”
These remarks sparked some unease among fans, fueling speculation that Howe might be nearing the end of his time at Newcastle. Yet, talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan criticised Hopkinson’s cautious approach. He suggested the CEO could be stuck in a tricky spot, pressured to clarify his position given his previous praise and the club’s ambitions.
Jordan questioned who actually holds the power to hire or fire managers, whether that falls solely to Hopkinson or if ownership plays the deciding role. He pondered how much football expertise the CEO really brings and wondered if Hopkinson’s silence could be a sign of uncertainty rather than strength. Jordan noted, “Not having a stance on your manager isn’t the right way to put it. Perhaps it’s more about not wanting to discuss his future publicly yet, but that just leads to more speculation.” He argued that whatever Hopkinson says now will draw criticism, either highlighting the team’s struggles if Howe is backed fully or fueling rumours if there’s hesitation.
In the end, Jordan advised that the focus should be on explaining the club’s broader vision rather than getting caught up in these short-term debates. He pointed out that while Howe is capable, Newcastle’s challenges aren’t just about the manager but about bigger structural issues the club faces as it aims to compete at the highest level.
ALAN SHEARER ISSUES DAMNING VERDICT ON EDDIE HOWE’S SURVIVAL AT ST. JAMES’ PARK
Newcastle United face an uncertain future after a 4th straight defeat. Eddie Howe remains in charge but faces a crucial test at Arsenal.
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Alan Shearer finally said it: he doesn’t expect Eddie Howe to stick around at Newcastle United.
He’s clearly fed up, and for the first time, he’s questioned whether Howe’s up for the fight to stay in charge at St. James’ Park. Still, Shearer tried to defend Howe while slamming the players for their “terrible” performance in that 2-1 loss to Bournemouth. According to Shearer, they “threw their boss under the bus".
Newcastle’s now lost four games in a row, across all competitions. They’re down in 14th place and have to go to Arsenal next. That’s not where anybody at the club wants to be.
Talking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer didn’t hold back: “Did you see the game? The players were shocking. As tough as things are for Eddie, I’ve got no idea what’s next for him. I heard his interview after the match and looked at him. I just wondered, does he really want to go through this all over again? Will he even get the chance?
“A lot is going on behind the scenes from his point of view. I want him to stay, but does he even think he’ll get the opportunity? Does he want it? If Newcastle have to start selling players, that’s a whole other problem.
“If they’ve got money to spend and can hold on to players, fine, but after watching the team yesterday, if that’s their idea of fighting for the manager, especially with all the pressure he’s under, they were just awful.
“They absolutely threw him under the bus. Every single one of them. The performance was crap. It’s a tough spot for Howe. Newcastle’s got a really difficult summer ahead, and they’ve got some massive decisions to make.”
When Gary Lineker asked if Howe should leave, Shearer didn’t dodge the question. “Honestly, as I sit here, I just don’t see Eddie managing Newcastle next season.”
He continued, “I watched his interview after the game, and I don’t think he’s got the fight left. The club’s changed so much from when he first arrived; it’s just not the same job. Eddie doesn’t look in a good place right now.”
NEWCASTLE UNITED SCOUT FLAMENGO’S 22-YEAR-OLD MIDFIELD ENGINE EVERTTON ARAúJO FOR SUMMER
Newcastle United join the race for Evertton Araújo. Discover why the Flamengo star's value has hit €20m this week.
Newcastle United have their eye on Flamengo midfielder Evertton Araújo, and it’s turning into a real race now that his value is climbing fast. That always draws more attention from big clubs, and the Premier League sides are definitely taking notice.
Evertton’s just 22, but lately he’s become a huge part of Flamengo’s squad. Earlier this year, West Ham had him on their shortlist and valued him at around £10.2 million (€12m). That number’s outdated now. Reports in Brazil say a Bundesliga club is ready to offer nearly €20 million (£17m), which pretty much resets the market for anyone interested.
Behind the scenes, Flamengo aren’t standing still either. They’re looking at renewing his contract to add stronger clauses and protect themselves because they don’t control all his rights third division club Volta Redonda actually owns 30%. These ownership tangles always make deals trickier.
All this is going on as Newcastle’s interest grows. Brazilian news outlet Bolavip reports that Newcastle are now seriously considering a move. The club’s scouts have watched Evertton in both domestic and continental games, and there are already internal talks about whether they can go in for him in the next window.
He fits what Premier League teams love: a mix of physical power and calmness on the ball. Injuries at Flamengo, especially to key midfielders like Erick Pulgar and Jorginho (yeah, the one who played for Arsenal and Chelsea), gave Evertton his break in the starting eleven. He grabbed the chance, playing consistently well and earning more trust under coach Leonardo Jardim. Jardim keeps praising him publicly, talking about his discipline, composure, and how well he handles pressure.
“He’s a player I really like,” Jardim told UOL. “I told him not to lose possession and to play forward. He’s exactly the sort of player who succeeds in Europe. He’s physical, strong in duels, and one of our most consistent performers lately.”
Flamengo, though, are being careful. Sure, they see the money on the table, but they don’t want to give up a key player with 2026 in mind. They’ve already turned down an offer of €5m (£4.3m) from Grêmio, so they’re not in a rush or pressed to take a low bid. Now that talks in Europe are hitting the €20m mark, they know they can ask for more, especially if more Premier League clubs start bidding.
For Newcastle, this is a moving target. West Ham’s old valuation looks cheap now, the Bundesliga offer has raised the stakes, and Flamengo are working to protect their interests. If Newcastle really want Evertton, they’ll need to move fast and be willing to deal with a complicated negotiation. Waiting around probably means the price keeps going up and the deal just gets tougher.
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