Former Newcastle United & Sunderland boss hopes PIF aren't considering this major change

Sam Allardyce believes Eddie Howe was never given the tools at Newcastle United to cope with a Champions League campaign.

Four first-team players arrived last summer following the Magpies’ top-four finish. However, for the first time since the Saudi-backed takeover, Newcastle’s recruitment has come under question.

Marquee arrival Sandro Tonali impressed on debut but made just 12 appearances before being slapped with a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. Harvey Barnes, the other arrival expected to make his mark on the starting line-up, has spent most of the campaign sidelined through injury.

Tino Livramento has been the pick of the bunch and looks like a future England full-back but the Lewis Hall signing raises more questions than answers. The youngster, who joined Newcastle on loan with an obligation-to-buy clause, has barely featured under Howe despite a crippling injury crisis.

The Magpies’ squad has looked light all season while they battle a wave of setbacks on the treatment table. That has resulted in Newcastle slipping to 10th in the Premier League, with a slim to zero chance of repeating those Champions League heroics.

They are still fighting for a European spot but the downturn in form this season has delivered a reality check to the long-term project. Speaking to the Tippy Tappy Football podcast, former Newcastle and Sunderland manager Allardyce urged the club’s ownership to stick with Howe.

“Eddie Howe never had the squad to cope with the Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Premier League,” he said. “Now they are where they are because the squad wasn’t big enough.

“As usual though, there is speculation because he hasn’t had such a great season. I hope the owners aren’t thinking about it, or anyone is thinking about changing him yet.”