One gritty road win cannot mask the cracks; Eddie Howe stares down a defining stretch as Newcastle United’s billions demand more than mediocrity.

Newcastle United’s season has hit a rough patch, and the heat is turning up on manager Eddie Howe. With the Magpies sitting mid-table after a lacklustre first half of the 2025/26 campaign, questions linger about whether the man who once transformed them can keep the project on track.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United rollercoaster

Eddie Howe stepped into St. James’ Park in November 2021, right after the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s takeover turned Newcastle United from relegation battlers into big-money players.

The Englishman steadied the ship fast, dragging them clear of the drop zone that season and building toward something special. By 2023, they were pushing for UEFA Champions League spots, and last season, they even lifted a trophy, which served as proof of his tactical smarts and ability to get the best from a squad blending grit with glamour.

Fast forward to now, and the shine has dulled. Newcastle United have collected just 26 points from 19 Premier League games, landing them in 13th place, miles from the European contention they crave.

Howe has overseen heavy spending, with over £400 million poured into the squad since the takeover, yet results feel stagnant. The away form tells a grim story: only one league road win in eight tries, capped by a run of four straight defeats across all competitions before a recent gasp of relief.

Alexander Isak’s shadow looms large

Losing Alexander Isak in the summer hurt, no doubt. The Swedish striker was Newcastle United’s talisman, netting 27 goals last season before heading off to pastures new. Replacements came in, capable names meant to share the load. But the spark has not ignited. Newcastle’s attack now averages just 1.4 goals per game, down from 2.1 the prior year, and clear-cut chances are scarce.

It is not just about one man, though. The squad boasts quality: Bruno Guimaraes pulling strings in midfield, Anthony Gordon with his pace on the less wing, and a defence that can boss possession.

Against Manchester United on Boxing Day, they dominated possession in the second half but mustered zero clear-cut chances after the break. That game ended 1-0 to the Red Devils, highlighting a creativity drought; they rank 11th in expected goals created, relying too much on solo magic rather than patterns of play.

Mid-Table mediocrity bites

For a club backed by billions, 13th feels like failure. The PIF vision was clear: challenge the elite, secure UEFA Champions League revenue, and build a dynasty. Instead, Newcastle sit seven points off the top four, with draws against weaker sides costing dear. Their record against top-half teams reads poor: one win in nine, including flops versus Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

Eddie Howe’s setup emphasises high pressing and transitions, which worked wonders when the squad gelled. But injuries, like prolonged absences in midfield, have exposed frailties. Away from home, they concede 1.8 goals per game on average, often undone by set pieces or counter-attacks.

The 3-1 win Burnley on December 30 ended a three-game league winless streak on the road, with goals from set plays and quick breaks. Howe called it a “spark”, but one swallow does not make summer.

Fixtures that could define everything

The next few weeks are make-or-break for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe. Premier League clashes with Crystal Palace, Leeds United, and Wolves look winnable on paper but carry traps: Palace’s counter-threat, Leeds’s high energy and resurgence, Wolves’ dogged performances of late.

Then comes the EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City, a two-legged beast where Pep Guardiola’s machine awaits. The Citizens have won eight of the last ten meetings, and Newcastle United’s last triumph over them was back in 2023. Trip up here, and the pressure cooker boils over.

Newcastle United need at least seven points from those three league games to climb toward seventh, last season’s Europa League spot. Fail, and the board’s patience, already tested by a “limbo” feel around stadium upgrades and long-term plans, wears thin. Howe himself admitted he might not see those projects through, with three years left on his deal but no renewal talks buzzing.

Whispers of the sack?

Talk of Eddie Howe’s future stays hushed for now, as there are no bold headlines screaming “Howe Out.” Club sources back him publicly, pointing to last season’s silverware and a squad still bedding in. But football moves quickly. Failing to snag Champions League football and say, finishing outside the top four or missing Europa via cups, could seal his fate.

Precedents abound: managers at moneyed clubs get little rope when ambition stalls, as Chelsea have shown this week. Yet, sacking Howe mid-project risks reset buttons nobody wants. He averages 1.75 points in his 201 outings, a solid mark, but context matters; recently, that has dipped significantly.

The bigger picture

Newcastle United’s plight mirrors other ambitious sides: Tottenham’s post-Harry Kane dip and West Ham United’s post-David Moyes struggles. Money buys talent, but cohesion takes time. Eddie Howe’s man-management shines, as he has kept spirits high post-Burnley, praising the “character” on show.

Yet, fans chant for more, and social media buzz grows edgier after each draw. By summer, if they are not in Europe, change feels inevitable. Champions League qualification is not just glory; it is £100 million-plus in revenue, fueling the cycle.

Howe knows this, and his post-match nods to “pressure” hint at realism. The next month tests if he can rally, or if PIF pull the trigger. For now, eyes remain on the clash wtih Crystal Palace. A stumble there, and the heat cranks up.

Newcastle United are not sinking, but drifting mid-table won’t cut it for a club aiming skyward. Howe’s era, once golden, now teeters on the edge, and results will decide if it is a revival or reckoning.