Richard Keys insists: Newcastle manager is ‘gone’
Eddie Howe has been under a lot of pressure at Newcastle United this season, especially after the team’s weak form curve.
Earlier today On Saturday, the Magpies broke their losing streak when they beat Brighton 3-1 at home at St. James’ Park, but the victory was far from convincing.
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Probably without Europe – and without a trophy
As the season draws to a close, Newcastle look set to end without a trophy. In addition, there will probably be no qualification for the European Cups. Thus, big questions begin to arise about Howe’s future.
One man who has already written off the Newcastle manager is Richard Keys. He says that he has consulted “high-ranking sources” about Howe’s situation, and the conclusion is clear.
According to Keys, Howe could be sacked as early as this summer – despite this weekend’s win over Brighton.
“I think he’s gone”
Before the game on May 2, on beIN Sports, Keys talked about possible manager departures in the summer. At the time, he stated that he does not believe Howe will lead the Magpies next season.
“My conclusion, after speaking with several high-ranking sources, is that I think he (Howe) is gone,” Keys said.
“I think he’s gone.
The win over Brighton was far from pretty
So what was the long-awaited victory really like?
Newcastle had a good first half and led 2-0. But after that, the team struggled to decide the game. Weak defending and an inability to set the game meant that Brighton came close to equalizing several times.
In injury time, Harvey Barnes made it 3-1 and secured the victory. Still, it wasn’t enough to convince Keys.
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50-50 chance of exit
Football Insider has previously reported that Howe has a 50 per cent chance of leaving Newcastle at the end of the season. Among the management of the northeast giants, there is a growing feeling that the 48-year-old has taken the team as far as he can.
Recent defeats to Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have made European qualification almost impossible, which has probably further weakened Howe’s position.
Sources say that his future now depends on how the players respond to him in the final three games of the season.
The question is, however, whether three good games will be enough to save his job. Howe seems to be losing the support of large parts of the fan base – and now also of key commentators such as Richard Keys.
