Newcastle United are on a rotten run of form, with our season sinking to a new low after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park was met with boos at the full-time whistle.
Eddie Howe is going through his toughest period on Tyneside, but his honesty has been refreshing in both his post-match press conference over the weekend and this morning’s chat with the media.
After offering an injury update on Anthony Gordon, Joelinton and Lewis Miley, Howe was asked about his future at the club and whether he had doubts over his position to take us forward.
His response was a strong one and he came out fighting, insisting he would walk if he felt he was no longer the right man for the club and this group of players:
“There’s no doubt in my mind [I’m the right man]. That is why I’m sat here. If there was [any doubt], I wouldn’t be sat here.
“As long as I feel that in my heart and my spirit, then my desire and motivation levels are as high as they’ve ever been. I’ll fight every day to my maximum for the club.
"No doubt in my mind, that's why i'm sat here"
Eddie Howe says he would 'step aside' if he didn't feel he was the right man to lead Newcastle United 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/xzegVU7RoJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 9, 2026
“I’d never put myself before the club. If I didn’t think I was the correct man to take the team forward and could give the players what they need, then I would step aside and let someone else do it.
“The momentum is against us at the moment. We have to swing it back – the world can look a very different place within a couple of games.”
To me, this shows that Howe is still fighting, giving his all and determined to turn thing around, holding onto the belief that things could change soon if we can find a win or two.
However, the nature of his comments do leave me wondering if any exit, be it soon, this summer or further down the line, will come from Howe himself, not the club.
Howe does not sound like a man ready to walk anytime soon, but I do wonder if that decision will come from within, not from above, based on Howe’s comments and the pressure he puts on himself to perform for this club.