Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sat 2 May 2026 10:04, UK

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Eddie Howe is increasingly likely to extend his tenure as Newcastle United manager this summer after the bookies backed him to stay.

The 48-year-old has been under significant pressure at St James’ Park following five consecutive losses across all competitions and a hugely disappointing season.

Leeds United’s victory over Burnley on Friday has seen Newcastle drop to 15th in the Premier League in a staggering collapse after last season saw them win a trophy and secure Champions League football.

Talks with the owners, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), have been ongoing this week amid long-term plans to see the Magpies progress.

Howe’s future as Newcastle manager would undoubtedly have been a part of those discussions, with a final decision still expected this summer.

Bookies back Eddie Howe to stay at Newcastle

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Andoni Iraola would be interested in joining Newcastle after he announced that he would be leaving Bournemouth this summer.

The Spaniard has transformed the Cherries and would surely be high up on Newcastle’s list if they were to replace Howe.

Jose Mourinho, Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva have also been mentioned among potential candidates, yet there remains a loyalty to the man who will have led the Magpies for five years in November.

When Howe arrived at St James’ Park in 2021, PIF’s takeover was in its infancy, and Newcastle stood 19th in the Premier League.

A superb end to the season galvanised the stadium and saw the Magpies finish 11th. Next season, they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Despite how bad this season has been, decision-makers are reluctant to move away from a manager who has been so connected to and behind Newcastle’s transformation.

Despite the pressure that remains, one major bookmaker has slashed Howe’s odds of taking charge next season to 10/11, while the odds of the closest challenger, Iraola, have drifted to 6/1.

What Howe said after PIF meetings

Newcastle are almost certainly out of contention for European football next season, but games against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Fulham will give them a chance to end the season positively.

Speaking after this week’s meetings with the owners, Howe said: “It was constructive. I was pleased by the level of support given to me but, of course, there’s an understanding that we need to get results.

“There were challenging conversations, difficult questions; there’s no getting away from that. You’re challenged and probed on certain decisions you’ve made, how we’ve ended up in certain scenarios.”

Howe made a presentation to PIF and was questioned on Newcastle’s dismal season, which has left them hamstrung this summer.

The Englishman appears to have retained support at St James’ Park, for now, but patience can only stretch so far, and results will be expected immediately.