Why Eddie Howe Must Stay at Newcastle – Alexander Isak's Departure Creates Ripple Effect
The chaotic summer departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool has triggered a cascade of problems at Newcastle United, leading some to question whether Eddie Howe's project has reached its conclusion at St James' Park. The Swedish striker's exit has created lasting damage that extends far beyond the transfer fee.
From Cup Glory to Mounting Pressure
Newcastle United's Carabao Cup defence ended at Manchester City, while their FA Cup journey concluded at Macclesfield in what became one of the competition's greatest shocks. These contrasting exits highlight the unpredictable nature of Newcastle's current campaign. The historic Carabao Cup triumph in 2025 – ending a 56-year wait for major silverware – was meant to be a stepping stone toward greater achievements.
Chief executive David Hopkinson has spoken ambitiously about becoming the world's top club by 2030, but Newcastle now face a challenging reality. They've been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, face a difficult FA Cup tie at Aston Villa, and must navigate a gruelling Champions League trip to Qarabag while sitting in the wrong half of the Premier League table. Their recent record at the Etihad Stadium – conceding 40 goals in their last 12 visits – paints a troubling picture for a team with fading Champions League qualification hopes.
The Isak Effect: A Transfer That Backfired
If Newcastle's problems can be traced to one individual, it should be Alexander Isak rather than Eddie Howe. The striker's departure timing and the botched succession planning have left lasting scars. Newcastle's attempt at defiance earned them an additional £15 million but backfired spectacularly in footballing terms.
With hindsight, selling when Liverpool initially bid £110 million would have been wiser than waiting until deadline day. The subsequent scramble saw Newcastle spend the Isak fee on panic purchases Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, neither of whom has matched the Swedish striker's impact. Isak's clinical finishing and explosive pace made Newcastle deadly on the counter-attack – qualities sorely missing from the current squad.
Howe's Record Deserves Patience
Despite recent struggles, Eddie Howe's achievements warrant continued support. He has twice qualified Newcastle for the Champions League and delivered the club's first major trophy in generations – something neither Sir Bobby Robson nor Kevin Keegan managed. The audible backing from fans at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday demonstrates he retains significant support.
Hopkinson publicly endorsed Howe before the Manchester City match, stating: "Eddie's our manager and he's an extraordinary manager. We just talked about how much he's envied by other clubs and the national programme."
Transfer Market Challenges and Future Optimism
Newcastle's £256 million summer spending spree has yielded mixed results, with only Malick Thiaw emerging as an unqualified success so far. However, Howe's previously excellent transfer record offers grounds for optimism. Players like Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, and Sandro Tonali all took time to settle before becoming integral to the team.
The current situation is complicated by injuries, with Gordon suffering a hamstring problem on Wednesday and others appearing overworked. With four of Newcastle's next five matches away from home, there's a genuine risk things could worsen before improving. Yet Howe's career history suggests he possesses the resilience and tactical acumen to navigate difficult periods.
His longevity at both Bournemouth and Newcastle stems from being among that select group of managers who can be trusted to run clubs responsibly and plot paths through challenging times. While Italian agents reportedly seek to extricate Tonali from Tyneside – echoing the Isak situation – this indicates structural issues that would persist regardless of who occupies the managerial position.
The lesson from Howe's career and his Tyneside tenure is clear: despite current difficulties, improvement remains probable under his stewardship. The Alexander Isak saga has created undeniable problems, but replacing a manager who has delivered historic success would represent a reactionary move rather than a strategic solution.
