Newcastle United chief gives cautious Eddie Howe update after Sunderland derby defeat | OneFootball

Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson says there are no immediate plans to replace head coach Eddie Howe after a testing campaign, but he stopped short of guaranteeing Howe’s position beyond this season.

According to Sunderland Echo, pressure intensified after a 2-1 Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland, when Brian Brobbey struck late and Howe and his players were booed off.

Speaking as the club released financial results, Hopkinson said Howe remains the manager, expects a strong run-in, and that discussions about the future will happen at the appropriate time.

He clarified that the club are not looking to make a change at the moment, stressing the focus is on the seven remaining matches rather than summer speculation.

Newcastle sit 12th, seven points off fifth place, and missing out on European football next season could carry significant consequences for finances and personnel.

The latest accounts, covering the 12 months to 30 June 2025, a period without European football but ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy, show an after-tax profit of £34.7m, a 44 per cent rise in commercial revenue, and record turnover of £335.3m, around half that of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

The group report also details a sale and leaseback of St James’ Park to parent PZ Newco Limited for £172.1m, shifting the burden of any future redevelopment away from the club, with no announcement imminent.

Source: Sunderland Echo