\n<\/p>\n
Such esteem should not come as a surprise.<\/p>\n
This is a manager who ended Newcastle<\/a>‘s seven-decade wait for a major domestic trophy less than a year ago, and who led his side to Champions League qualification in 2025 and 2023.<\/p>\n It is why Howe commanded instant respect from chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson when they were finally appointed earlier this season.<\/p>\n The pair have quickly struck up a relationship with Howe, and have repeatedly talked about the importance of alignment behind the scenes at a time when there have been very public ructions at clubs elsewhere.<\/p>\n There has been a degree of an understanding that this side are in transition following a turbulent summer.<\/p>\n There is also a recognition behind the scenes that the incredibly hands-on Howe has not had much training time with his players, and has had to contend with fatigue and injuries during a relentless schedule this season, which is a relatively new phenomenon for Newcastle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Newcastle<\/a> have a strong chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, and have an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa<\/a> to come next week, but this season is unravelling. Fast.<\/p>\n No teams have dropped more points from winning positions in the league than Newcastle<\/a> (19).<\/p>\n Howe’s team have only won three away games in all competitions this season, and have lost three of their last four matches at St James’ Park.<\/p>\n They are as close to the relegation zone as they are the top five.<\/p>\n Such statistics are all the more damning in a week during which Hopkinson doubled down on his assertion that Newcastle<\/a> would be competing for the biggest prizes by 2030.<\/p>\n Howe certainly needs no reminding that he needs to spark a turnaround sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n “I’ve got to work better, do more and take full responsibility for everything you see on the pitch,” he said.<\/p>\n “I’ve got to work out solutions. That’s for me to do and it’s the same for the players.<\/p>\n “I have to ask them to be really honest with themselves and look at their best level and judge how we are playing against that now in this current moment.<\/p>\n “I don’t think there’s too many who could say they’re playing towards their best so that gives us growth to improve.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n