Newcastle United chief gives Eddie Howe future 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 difficult campaign, though he stopped short of a longer-term guarantee.

According to Sunderland Echo, he addressed Howe’s future amid unrest after a bruising European exit in Barcelona and a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland. Brian Brobbey struck late in that derby and Howe and his players were booed off.

Hopkinson said Howe remains the manager and he expects a strong run to the end of the season, adding the club are not considering a change and will discuss the future at the right time.

He said focus is on the seven matches remaining rather than summer speculation. Newcastle are 12th, seven points off fifth, where they finished last season, with failure to secure European football potentially affecting finances and personnel.

Hopkinson was speaking as the club published accounts covering the 12 months to 30 June 2025, a period when Newcastle ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy but had no European football.

The club posted a £34.7m profit after tax, helped by a 44 per cent rise in commercial revenue. Turnover rose by £15m to a record £335.3m, around half that of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

A strategic report said St James’ Park was effectively sold to parent company PZ Newco Limited for £172.1m and leased back, so any future stadium development costs would not fall on the club. No redevelopment announcement is imminent.

Source: Sunderland Echo