Eddie Howe could be sacked by Newcastle with things 'about to get even worse'

Eddie Howe is at serious risk of being sacked by Newcastle United in the new season after what is proving to be another difficult summer.

The Magpies opted to back the boss heading into the summer window, despite a 12th-place finish last time out, but have already lost key players from his starting XI.

While the manager is not to blame for their failings in the transfer market, the impact those moves will have on his starting XI mean results are unlikely to improve.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Howe could face serious questions over his positions as Newcastle face a major drop off in their fortunes.

Not only have they already lost Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, but Bruno Guimaraes looks set to follow, with the heart of Howe's team being picked apart.

The Magpies have also been beaten to the signings of Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi, and are facing further issues with strengthening their squad this summer.

Is Eddie Howe under pressure at Newcastle United?

Brown warned Football Insider back in March that Newcastle were losing patience with Howe following a string of underwhelming displays in the Premier League.

Despite ultimately finishing well below their aim for the season, and missing out on qualifying for Europe, Newcastle opted to stick with their manager into the summer window.

However, should Newcastle face similar struggles in the upcoming season, it is becoming increasingly likely that Howe will be moved on.

"Eddie Howe is going to be under huge pressure at Newcastle next season," Brown told Football Insider.

"They finished 12th last season which was way short of their expectations, but it's not too much of a stretch to suggest next season could be even worse for them.

"They've already lost Gordon and Tonali, it looks like Bruno is going to follow them, and when you look at the squad, they're weak in pretty much every position.

"Now they're missing out on the players they've wanted to bring in to strengthen the squad, so they're much worse off than they were last season.

"Unfortunately for Howe, it always comes back on the manager when results aren't good enough, regardless of what the reasons for that are.

"So if they go into next season performing well below their usual standard, a results aren't going their way, that usually leads to the manager getting sacked and Howe could be in a tricky spot."

Newcastle have 'big problems' in the transfer market

Part of the reason that Howe is expected to face pressure over his position at Newcastle in the coming season is due to the club's failings in the transfer market.

Losing star players from the team will come as a huge blow, but while that may be considered unavoidable, their inability to sign their top targets has been flagged as a major concern.

Brown told Football Insider on 14 July that Newcastle are now facing "big issues" as they have so far seen Howe's squad significantly weakened from last season's poor showing.

Missing out on Munoz and Manzambi this summer has followed a worrying trend which saw Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Marc Guehi, Joao Pedro and more snub them last summer.

As a result, there are serious fears the Magpies could drop lower than their 12th placed finish last time out, with Howe likely to bear the brunt of the criticism.