Newcastle CEO refuses to back Howe as manager with major sales expected

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 31 Mar 2026 12:44 BST
• 5 min read

News

There could be a mass exodus at Newcastle this summer that involves manager Eddie Howe leaving after a surprising revelation by the club’s new CEO.

Howe has been a roaring success at Newcastle since being hired in 2021 but the 48-year-old has come under pressure in recent weeks after a home loss to Sunderland in their last match which sees the Magpies sitting 12th in the Premier League and in danger of missing out on European football for next season.

Newcastle had previously insisted that Howe’s future was not under threat but, having been appointed as CEO in September last year, David Hopkinson refused to back Howe beyond the end of the season and insisted the club were focusing on the need to qualify for Europe.

"I don't have a stance on [Howe’s] future,” Hopkinson said. “What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt. We take it seriously. There's nothing within us that thinks 'well, it's just three points and on we go'. It has resonated.

"I spent a couple of hours in a one-on-one lunch recently with Eddie, and we talked through a multitude of things, including that.

"Eddie's our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here, and we'll talk about the future when it's time. Right now, we're focused on this season's competition."

Newcastle likely to sell star player this summer due to finances

Hopkinson’s comments came after Newcastle announced their financial results for the 2024-25 season in which they boasted record revenues and a 44% increase in commercial income.

However, a large portion of their profit was revealed to have come from the sale of St James’ Park to the club’s owners, generating £176.2 million (€203m) to Newcastle’s finances.

Without the sale, Newcastle would have declared a £98.4m loss due to not playing in Europe last season and the Daily Mail report that missing out on the Champions League next season could force the club into sales this summer.

It is claimed that Newcastle ‘do not have the scope many expected to reinvest in their squad’ this summer despite the British transfer record sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool last year.

With speculation continuing to intensify over the futures of stars such as Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento, Newcastle are likely to be forced into a reluctant sale this summer.

A major sale would only increase the uncertainty on Tyneside but Hopkinson insisted that a change in manager wasn’t being considered at this time despite his comments.

"We are not looking to make a change at the moment,” Hopkinson said. “We are not having those conversations. We are still in the midst of the season.

“Right now we are focused on the seven matches we have remaining and not distracting ourselves with speculation about what we may or may not do in the summer.

"Right now, all of us have only got so much bandwidth and we are focused on this season and finishing strongly."

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