Ornstein: Howe safe for now as Newcastle wobble, summer review on the cards
After a flat night at Selhurst Park and another dent to Newcastle’s season, the noise around Eddie Howe has cranked up a notch. But according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, it’s not panic stations on Tyneside just yet. The message from upstairs is steady-as-she-goes: Howe remains the man, with a formal appraisal coming in the summer rather than an immediate shake-up.
Ornstein’s update: calm heads at St James’ Park
The ownership continue to back Howe and, crucially, there have been no serious discussions about replacing him before the season ends; a standard end‑of‑campaign review is planned. That’s the state of play per Ornstein, even after the loss to Crystal Palace, which only sharpened focus on a campaign drifting in the wrong direction.
Where Newcastle stand right now
The Magpies sit 14th in the Premier League, a long way from last year’s top‑four heroics and about 10 points shy of the Champions League places. Perhaps most damning is the trend: Newcastle have squandered more points from winning positions than any other side this term. It’s become a habit, and a costly one at that.
Why Howe still has credit in the bank
Strip the emotion out and you see why the board isn’t lunging for the ejector seat. Howe took over a team staring at trouble near the foot of the table and turned them into Champions League qualifiers within 18 months. He also guided them to the Carabao Cup final, restoring pride and purpose to St James’ Park. For all the frustrations of this season—injuries, heavy workloads, and opponents now giving Newcastle the full respect treatment—the gaffer’s body of work still counts.
The run-in and the reality
Make no mistake, the fixtures ahead aren’t gentle. If performances dip any further, PIF’s stance could harden, because elite sport doesn’t wait for anyone. But right now the brief is simple: steady the ship, rediscover that front‑foot aggression, and turn fine margins into points. European football isn’t off the table if Newcastle can fling themselves into a late surge.
What comes next
Between now and May, Howe’s task is to tighten the back door and put some punch back in the final third. The review in the summer will be ‘normal service’—a chance to assess recruitment, fitness, and whether this squad can resume its upward curve. Until then, he has the reins and the responsibility.
If you’re keeping an eye on the odds as the run‑in unfolds, have a look at the best betting sites for where the market thinks Newcastle’s season heads next—just don’t expect the owners to be swayed by the week-to-week hysteria.
Pundit’s verdict
Right call, for now. Sacking managers mid-season can be theatre, but it’s rarely a plan. Howe’s earned the chance to fix this. Deliver a strong finish, and the summer becomes about sharpening the sword rather than changing the knight. Fail to arrest the slide, and all bets are off when that review lands.
