The atmosphere surrounding St. James’ Park has shifted from the jubilant highs of European nights to a more somber, uncertain tone. Following a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe finds himself in a position he hasn’t occupied much since arriving on Tyneside: under genuine pressure.
While the fans remain largely supportive of the man who led them back to the Champions League, pundits and analysts are starting to wonder if the project has hit a ceiling. Among the loudest voices is former striker Stan Collymore, who has dropped a “bombshell” suggestion that the club’s owners might already be looking toward a future that includes a certain legendary Portuguese manager.
Collymore believes that the current season represents a critical crossroads for Howe. According to his analysis, if Newcastle fails to secure some form of European football for next year, the owners may feel compelled to make a change.
The most shocking part of his assessment is the mention of Jose Mourinho as a potential successor. Mourinho, who is currently managing Benfica but has already faced friction with their supporters after just four months, is a name that carries immense weight.
Collymore pointed out that the established connections between Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and the ownership’s regional ties could make this more than just a wild rumor. He suggested that Mourinho’s recent press conferences sound like a man “putting himself out there” for a high-profile return to the Premier League.
Despite these rumors, it is important to acknowledge what Howe has achieved. Collymore himself noted that Howe is a “super coach” who addressed many of the defensive weaknesses that plagued his earlier career at Bournemouth.
Taking Newcastle to a League Cup final and securing a top-four finish was a massive feat that shouldn’t be forgotten. However, the reality of modern football is that past success only buys so much time.
Some of the club’s major signings haven’t quite “lit the place up” as expected, and several key players who were instrumental over the last two seasons seem to have plateaued. The margins in the Premier League are incredibly fine, and a poor run of form can quickly change the narrative from “stability” to “crisis.”
The loss to Aston Villa was a perfect example of these fine margins. Newcastle currently sits in ninth place, and the road ahead is notoriously difficult. Their next three matches involve trips to Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, and Manchester City three of the toughest venues in world football.
If the Magpies cannot find a way to pick up points in these fixtures, the pressure on Howe will only intensify. Reflecting on the Villa game, Howe was candid about how small moments dictated the outcome. He pointed to a massive opportunity for Sandro Tonali just 50 seconds into the match.
Tonali went through on goal, but a spectacular save kept the score level. Shortly after, Villa scored from a long-range effort, forcing Newcastle to spend the rest of the afternoon chasing the game.
Howe’s assessment was a mix of frustration and pragmatism. While he was disappointed with the result, he saw “real positives” in individual performances.
He noted that Sven Botman looked the best he has since returning from a long-term injury, and he praised the contributions of Lewis Miley and substitutes like Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga.
However, he didn’t shy away from the team’s failings, admitting that their “final ball” in the attacking third was poor. The lack of clinical finishing and creativity around the opposition box is becoming a recurring theme that needs urgent attention.
Adding to the tactical struggle is a growing injury crisis. Newcastle lost their midfield talisman Bruno Guimaraes just before the Villa game, and then saw Joelinton forced off during the match. For a team that relies heavily on a high-intensity, physical style of play, losing the “engine room” of the midfield is a devastating blow.
Howe emphasized that the team needs every available body to navigate the upcoming schedule, but the medical room is currently far more crowded than he would like. As things stand, Bruno Guimaraes is the only one with a realistic chance of returning for the midweek clash in Paris.
The next few weeks will likely define Eddie Howe’s future at the club. If he can guide the team through this “gauntlet” of fixtures and keep them in the hunt for Europe, the talk of a Mourinho-led takeover will likely fade into the background.
However, if the slide continues and the gap to the top six widens, the “bombshell” claims from people like Collymore will start to feel less like speculation and more like a looming reality. For now, the focus remains on the pitch and finding a way to get a results-driven squad back to its best before the season slips away.
