Eddie Howe proved me wrong at Newcastle but he needs to shock City to keep his job

I was skeptical of Eddie Howe before he took over as manager at Newcastle.

I doubted he could succeed outside his comfort zone at Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe’s future at Newcastle is uncertain ahead of the summerCredit: PA

I was worried about him taking over the club that has the richest owners in world football, with all the pressure that entails.

Yet Howe proved me wrong last season by leading Toon to the Champions League and reaching the final of the League Cup in his first full season.

I hope Newcastle’s Saudi owners don’t forget how far Howe was ahead of the game at the time.

And I hope they take into account the extraordinary bad luck he has had this season – from a gambling ban for Sandro Tonali, to a serious injury crisis, to the dodgy late penalty away at Paris Saint-Germain that has done much to send them out Europe were sent. .

But today’s FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City, a draw that spells further misfortune for Howe, is of huge importance for his future at the club.

If he stays on Tyneside next season, it feels like he might be in for a shock at Etihad.

We don’t know how the Saudis will react if Newcastle’s season is effectively ended by defeat.

We can guess that they will be ruthless. And we can’t imagine they’ll think ‘well, bad luck, we’ve got Man City’, because if you want to reach the top you’re going to have to beat City time and time again.

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The Saudis are running Newcastle quite calmly and sensibly.

Maybe they’ll excuse Howe from a season of stalled progress.
But the way FFP restrictions have been tightened, with a number of their players linked with a move in January, shows that Newcastle’s bid to reach the top echelons of English and European football is unlikely to go smoothly .

Shocking moment fan pushes Eddie Howe during Newcastle’s draw in Leeds

I also think that the club’s location could be a barrier to attracting foreign talent.

A lot of the foreign guys I played with only really knew about London and Manchester.

The North East is a great part of the world and anyone who knows football can’t help but love St James’ Park.

But many players prefer a move to the capital or to Manchester, where clubs will also pay high wages.

I remember former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley suggesting the club move its training base to London because of this – which didn’t go down well with the fans, who hated him anyway.

But when players make the move to Tyneside, they often love it.

Bruno Guimaraes is a good example. The Brazilian is adored there and he clearly loves the club.

Even during the defeat to Chelsea last Monday you could see his passion. I thought he was the best player on the field.

Howe could guide Newcastle to the FA Cup semi-finals this weekendCredit: Getty

That Ashley era now feels like a world away, thanks to the new owners’ money and Howe’s excellent management.

But anyone expecting Newcastle to gain the upper hand quickly is likely to be mistaken.

Newcastle are capable of beating anyone in a one-off match and this season they beat City in the League Cup.

If they can beat Pep Guardiola’s side tonight it would mean a change of mood for Howe and his team, and another day out at Wembley for the supporters in the semi-finals.

For a club that has not won a major trophy for over half a century, progress in the cup is extremely important.

You fear for Howe’s future if they don’t. But then I hope I’m wrong again.