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.
EDDIE HOWE CONFIRMS NEWCASTLE LINEUP SHIFTS ARE PART OF A MAJOR FUTURE STRATEGY
Eddie Howe confirms he is picking Newcastle lineups with next season in mind, trialling players like Ramsey and Woltemade early.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe isn’t pretending he’s already thinking about next season. People have been saying Kieran Trippier is close to triggering a payment if he plays more games, so that might influence whether he features again before the season ends. But Howe brushed that off and said he’s making his decisions purely for football reasons.
Talking to reporters at the City Ground about why Anthony Gordon was missing, Howe admitted he’s picking his lineup with the future in mind. Later, in his press conference, he went into more detail about focusing on what comes next at St James’ Park.
"We’re definitely looking ahead," Howe said. "You can see it in some of the choices I’m making with the team. I want to get a look at some players and see how they might grow into the squad."
One of those players is Jacob Ramsey, who came off the bench, set up Harvey Barnes with a great pass, and really changed the game. "I thought Jacob Ramsey was brilliant when he came on against Forest. He really made a difference, and so did Harvey. It’s good to see players taking their chances," Howe said.
He added, "We have to be thinking about the future now and what the team’s going to look like next year. That’s our responsibility at this point."
Before the match, Howe surprised a lot of fans by starting Lewis Hall at right-back, Nick Woltemade in midfield, and pushing Joelinton further forward than usual. Again, Howe explained he wants to see what players can do in different positions.
"It wasn’t some huge change from Brighton; we kept the same shape," Howe said. "But for Nick, this was only one of a few times he’s started in that role for us. He played alongside Will, and they haven’t had much time together either.
"There were positives for Nick, but he wasn’t involved as much as we wanted in the first half. We still need to see his best on the ball. In the second half, though, I thought we got better as a team. We attacked more and looked like a real threat as the match wore on."
MAGPIES EYE £1M BARGAIN TIAGO GABRIEL TO SOLVE GROWING DEFENSIVE INJURY CRISIS
Newcastle are leading the race against Juventus for Tiago Gabriel, the 21-year-old Serie A defensive sensation.
Newcastle United appear to be keeping an eye on Lecce’s young defender Tiago Gabriel as they consider potential options for the summer transfer window.
With Fabian Schar’s contract due to expire at the end of June, the Magpies are preparing for the possibility of his departure. Although an extension is still on the table, Schar has been sidelined since early January because of an ankle injury and doesn't seem close to making a comeback.
At 21, Gabriel has featured 36 times across all competitions this season for Lecce, who are currently four points clear of the Serie A relegation zone. Newcastle’s recruitment team is among those following his development, seemingly interested in exploring a move once the transfer window opens.
Back in December, reports surfaced that both West Ham and Juventus were also tracking Gabriel’s progress. The young defender, who came through Sporting CP’s academy, has had a strong season and will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
Gabriel transferred to Lecce last January for slightly over £1 million, moving from Portuguese club Estrela Amadora. Should he leave this summer, a significantly higher fee might be expected, reflecting his rise in form.
Before joining Estrela Amadora, Gabriel had been part of Setúbal's academy after leaving Sporting in 2020. His performances have earned him regular appearances for Portugal’s Under-21 side, and senior international opportunities may not be far off.
A switch to the Premier League could potentially boost his profile substantially, but he will likely weigh his options with some care.
According to O Jogo, Newcastle continue to monitor his situation keenly as interest around the defender grows.
Regarding Fabian Schar’s future, things remain uncertain even with just weeks left on his current deal. While Kieran Trippier has been publicly confirmed to be leaving upon contract expiration, no similar announcement has come for Schar.
Last week, Howe commented on the defender’s status, noting that no definitive decision has been made yet. He emphasised Schar’s value to the team, pointing out his unique role as a ball-playing defender and his versatility in various defensive setups.
Schar’s influence on the pitch and experience are clearly appreciated, and the club hopes he can regain full fitness before the season concludes. As for any new contract talks, Howe suggested it’s a matter of waiting to see how things unfold.
