After a poor start to the Premier League campaign, there is talk of Eddie Howe being under pressure at Newcastle United, but that couldn’t be further from the truth according to Kieran Maguire.
Back-to-back league defeats have left Newcastle way down in 14th place right now, with Manchester City up next at the weekend.
Things aren’t going to get any easier, with Newcastle facing a daunting set of fixtures before Christmas, as well as trying to navigate Champions League and Carabao Cup games.
Eddie Howe has come in for some criticism due to results and bad performances, which is only natural. After what he’s achieved at Newcastle, though, should Howe really be worried about his job?
- READ MORE: Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are ‘super proud’ of Eddie Howe despite Newcastle struggles
Kieran Maguire blames PSR for Newcastle United issues
On the latest episode of the Beyond the Back Four podcast, finance expert Kieran Maguire suggested neither the fans nor the club’s owners want Howe to go. Instead, he blames PSR restrictions for causing problems for the Magpies.
He said: “Newcastle fans had the trauma of the Mike Ashley years, with a limited budget to ensure they made money – which they did, they were profitable under him – and stayed up. Under PIF, two Champions League qualifications and a trophy is a good return.
“There is no pressure from the fans on Howe, but frustration with rules preventing a club like Newcastle doing what Chelsea, PSG, and Man City all did, which is chuck lots of money at player recruitment in years gone by. Now, clubs are operating in the environment of PSR, SCR, anchoring and god knows whatever else.
“Newcastle are wanting to spend but are unable to, which has caused frustration, and that’s reflected in social media comments. There’s no pressure from owners to remove Howe – he’s delivered, but can’t deliver more as the budget is constrained by votes of other clubs holding them back.”
Indeed, we are told Newcastle’s owners are backing Howe to still guide the club to a top six finish this season, which is the minimum aim, really.
What are Newcastle United’s expectations?
So, with all the resources available to Newcastle, but no way to really unlock the potential of that, we’ve seen in past transfer windows how limited Howe has been.
Selling players just to appease PSR, being unable to afford top targets, and losing Alexander Isak; all of those issues came from the rules the club are bound to in the Premier League.
Also appearing on the podcast to talk about the rules and restrictions, Liverpool expert James Brooke was a little more harsh on Howe.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 11 |  BrightonBrighton | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 2 | 16 |
| 12 |  BrentfordBrentford | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 16 |
| 13 |  EvertonEverton | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 15 |
| 14 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 12 |
| 15 |  FulhamFulham | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 16 | -4 | 11 |
| 16 |  LeedsLeeds | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 20 | -10 | 11 |
| 17 |  BurnleyBurnley | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 10 |
He said: “He’s got the perfect job – don’t get the results, blame the rules! Newcastle know that and hail Howe for what he’s done. Maybe there’s some expectation in knowing it’s difficult to break into the top six, but you have to be smart with money.
“Every club can spend to an extent, you have to be smarter in the window and tempt players with the idea of the project. So far, he’s done a good job of doing that, which is reflected in the success they’ve had.
“But they still need to look and work out what the next step is – do they want to be a consistent Champions League team? They’re a little off it this season. When Howe first joined Newcastle, there were question marks over him but he’s answered them.
“Now it’s time for him to deliver again and if he can’t, the club might look elsewhere.”
To be fair, according to Sandro Tonali, the Newcastle players are behind Howe and there is still an air of positivity at the club. This is not quite a disaster at all, more a blip that can easily be turned around.
The day probably will come where Newcastle United’s owners feel they need a new manager to take the club to the next level, but that day does feel a long way off right now. Still, if Newcastle miss out on European football as it looks like they will at the moment, that could change things come the summer.
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