Newcastle tipped to brutally ‘sack’ Eddie Howe by Simon Jordan despite Carabao Cup heroics

Simon Jordan, the outspoken talkSPORT presenter, has cast doubt over Eddie Howe’s long-term future as Newcastle United manager, labeling him a “gatekeeper” rather than the man to lead the club to Premier League and Champions League glory.

Despite Howe’s impressive achievements this season, including guiding the Magpies to the Carabao Cup final and keeping them in contention for a top-four finish, Jordan believes the 45-year-old may not be the right figure to fulfill the lofty ambitions of Newcastle’s Saudi-backed ownership.

Newcastle have the chance to end a 70-year wait for a major trophy when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. This marks their second final in three seasons, a testament to the progress made under Howe’s leadership.

Additionally, the team sits just two points outside the Premier League’s top four, firmly in the race for Champions League qualification. However, Jordan argues that these successes may not be enough to secure Howe’s position in the long term, particularly given the ownership’s aspirations to dominate English and European football.

“I’ve always said, and I don’t make any apologies for this, I said this to him when I spoke to him, is that I’ve always felt [Howe] is the gatekeeper,” Jordan explained.

“You had such luminaries like Alan Pardew who took exception to that. He didn’t understand what I meant. Ultimately, it’s very unlikely that the lofty ambitions of the Saudis, who didn’t buy Newcastle so they can win the League Cup, they want to win the Premier League and Champions League. They will take the League Cup in the meantime because it will mean so much to the fans.”

Jordan acknowledged Howe’s contributions in transforming Newcastle into a competitive and entertaining side but questioned whether he is the man to deliver the ultimate prizes.

“My perception was that Eddie might be very valuable and deservingly rewarded for achieving something at Newcastle, which is getting a good side, a team that is really competitive in the Premier League and who people actually like to watch.

But is he going to win something for Newcastle? Maybe he will win the League Cup on the weekend, but I don’t see Newcastle, not because of Howe but because of the restrictions put upon their ability to spend… That might well mean that Eddie becomes a casualty in 18 months, knocking on the door of the FA’s building to take over from Thomas Tuchel.”

Jordan also took aim at the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), arguing that these regulations have unfairly hindered Newcastle’s progress since the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) takeover.

“I’d like to think that the governance of the game changes so that, when you have this sustainability argument, I don’t know how anyone can keep a straight face and argue that the people who own Newcastle aren’t sustainable,” he said.

“They have people who have more money than God, who are quite prepared to fund them. It’s a nonsense, stupid government argument that’s actually unwinding some of the best parts of the Premier League.”

Despite the speculation surrounding Howe’s future, the manager remains fully focused on Newcastle’s immediate challenges. Sources suggest that Howe harbors a long-term dream of managing the England national team, but with Thomas Tuchel currently in charge and set to lead the Three Lions into the next World Cup, that opportunity may not arise for several years.

Howe’s contract with Newcastle runs until 2027, and while his position appears secure for now, the club’s hierarchy may consider a change if they feel a different approach is needed to achieve their ambitious goals.

If Howe leads Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory and secures Champions League qualification this season, it would be a remarkable achievement and a strong argument for him to remain in charge.

However, as Jordan’s comments suggest, the expectations at St. James’ Park are sky-high, and the pressure to deliver sustained success will only intensify.

For now, Howe’s focus remains on Sunday’s final and the remaining Premier League fixtures, as he aims to cement his legacy at Newcastle and prove he is the man to take the club to the next level.