‘Remarkable’ - Eddie Howe given ‘undeniable’ sacking verdict at Newcastle United

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes Eddie Howe “deserves” the chance to lead Newcastle United next season.

A myriad of reasons has resulted in the Magpies failing to replicate last year’s Champions League heroics. European football itself was cited as having an impact, with injuries also crippling Newcastle’s campaign.

Howe still has the Magpies fighting for a Europa League spot but seventh, their current position, only guarantees Conference League. Any continental football would be welcomed by supporters and Toon chiefs given the FFP/PSR climate.

Finishing in the top seven would also cement Howe’s position for the start of next season. A poor run after Christmas led to faint calls from sections of the media for the Magpies to replace the 46-year-old.

Crystal Palace in midweek aside, Newcastle appear back on track, with the potential of summer signings and players returning from injury also reasons to stay optimistic. Ex-Palace owner Jordan - who previously questioned whether Howe would be the man to win honours at St James’ Park - backed the Toon boss to keep his job.

“The expectation has to be balanced with a degree of reality,” he told talkSPORT. “It’s undeniable that they got this remarkable bounce on the back of Eddie Howe coming in.

“This season was always going to be a challenge because they had a European competition. That was always going to put them in a difficult position. If they finish seventh or eighth, it would be comparable to the second season Manchester City had when they got Sheikh Mansour’s money.

“If Newcastle finish eighth, seventh or even sixth, I think they’ve had a pretty good season. There are still the building blocks there. He deserves another spin of the wheel.”