‘A few issues’ - Alan Pardew gives Eddie Howe sacking verdict at Newcastle United
Alan Pardew has insisted Eddie Howe is not “under pressure” despite a rotten run of results at Newcastle United.
For the first time since his appointment, questions are beginning to be asked about the 46-year-old’s future. The Magpies lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Sunday - leaving them 12th in the Premier League.
No win in five top-flight fixtures has put a dent in Newcastle’s potential goals for 2024-25. Those concerns will intensify should they fail against the Blues again tomorrow in the Carabao Cup. As for the league, the tasks do not get easier, with Arsenal travelling to Tyneside this weekend.
Former Toon boss Pardew - who faced criticism himself during his four-year reign at St James’ Park - believes Howe will come good. The manager-turned-pundit cited several factors, including Alexander Isak’s contract situation, as possible reasons for Newcastle’s slump.
“I don’t think he’s under pressure, I really don’t,” Pardew told talkSPORT. “The chat about Isak not signing his contract and maybe going in the summer (is distracting).
“He missed a chance again today. That’s beginning to become one of those situations at a football club which you don’t need. (When) your striker not coming to the club, when he misses chances, it starts compounding the issue.
“I think he (Howe) has a few issues (at the club) and, obviously, the ownership, in terms of directors, has changed a little bit. There’s a kerfuffle going on in the boardroom and that’s affected things.
“But Newcastle are fine. I look at that team and they have some great quality there. He’s proven himself as a manager so I think they’ll be alright. It was a sticky weekend for them.”