The life of a football manager is a strange one.
Indeed, in the wake of Newcastle United’s win over Manchester United on Sunday, that became obvious again.
Both Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter were sacked by Leicester and Chelsea respectively, underlining just how volatile football management can be.
Clearly, there is absolutely no suggestion Eddie Howe will suffer a similar fate. Frankly, why would there be? The 45-year-old has Newcastle sitting third in the Premier League and on course for a return to the Champions League, having reached a first domestic final in over 20 years.
Still, such is the nature of football management, it’s not exactly completely out of the realms to suggest – at some point in the future – Howe might come under pressure.
While that sounds almost sacrilegious now and, again there’s no reason that point would ever be soon, that is just the world of management.
Howe looking to stay for as long as possible
The Magpies coach is aware of that.
Speaking to The Chronicle, he said: “It [the sackings] does [drive you on]. It’s not a fear but it’s the reality of the profession that I’m in. It’s so volatile.
“It can be ever-changing in any minute so you have got to do the best you can day to day not to survive, but to keep the momentum going in the job because you need positive momentum. You need a real focus on where you are trying to go.
“I’m determined to try and stay here for as long as I can. To do that, I need to be at my best.”
Expectation is difficult to deal with
With a club as ambitious as Newcastle, the expectation is very high. That and the money spent on players allows managers little margin for error.
Clearly, Howe is doing everything expected of him and, at this early stage of the PIF era, probably more. Newcastle look ahead of schedule and it’s hard to imagine anyone coming in to do a better job.
Acceptance of the expectancy drives Howe on. Long may it continue.
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