Alan Shearer gives Eddie Howe verdict as PIF offer vote of confidence
Eddie Howe faced the Newcastle United hierarchy in high-level meetings at Maften Hall last week, with some people speculating that it may not go so well for the beleaguered gaffer.
After five straight defeats, it was never going to be a wholly comfortable conversation, that's for sure. The noises coming out of the club ahead of the meetings were that Howe would be backed by the board to put things right next season, as there was an understanding that this season's failings weren't all down to Howe's management.
Following the meetings, Eddie Howe told reporters that he was happy with the outcome of the meetings while David Ornstein reported that there was a consensus that Eddie Howe was still the right man for Newcastle United, but everyone agreed that the failures of this season could not be repeated.
David Hopkinson and, more crucially, Ross Wilson will play a big part in that this summer by ensuring Howe is backed properly in the transfer market, an area in which he was severely let down last year after Paul Mitchell left the club. Granted, Howe made a lot of the transfer decisions, but the club missed out on so many of its primary targets that it was never going to go how he wanted this year.
Shearer is happy Howe has been given another shot
Alan Shearer recently cast doubt over Howe's future, suggesting that he may leave of his own accord if he feels he's been let down, but in the wake of the Matfen Hall meetings, Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast that he's happy to hear Howe has been given the opportunity to go again.
"What I did say was that all things being equal I want him to be there but he has to want to be there himself.
"I gather the meeting they had, because all the top brass were in Newcastle last week for two or three days, by all accounts went really well for both parties. That tells me that if it is true, and I gather it is, Eddie was happy with what he heard and they were happy with what they heard from Eddie as well."
"If there's one manager who deserves the chance to go again and say: 'Ok, we've had a bad season, fine.'
"Recruitment hasn't helped last summer, we all know that, and it has been a really tough season. The quicker it ends for Newcastle, the better, so they can start planning for next season. I am pleased that, if it is true and sounds like it is, that Eddie is going to be at the helm to do that."
Next season is make-or-break for Howe
Alan Shearer has often thrown a metaphorical arm around Eddie Howe when things have gone against the gaffer, so it makes sense that the Toon legend would be pleased to see him given the backing he got.
We've made our own feelings on this perfectly clear of late, but just in case you're new here, we feel that whenever the team has run into trouble under Howe, there have always been genuine excuses as to why things haven't gone to plan. There has been a lot of instability in the boardroom with changing personnel, which is understandable; it's a new era, and it will take some time to settle.
We are starting to look settled now, which means those excuses for Howe are dwindling, and we feel that next season will be a telling one for Howe. If the team doesn't perform, there's nowhere to hide, and that's when the owners may move to make a change. That's assuming that the summer transfer window goes well, otherwise he's being handed another shield.
