Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sun 8 March 2026 7:27, UK

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Newcastle United were beaten by Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday, likely ending their chances of winning a trophy this season.

The Magpies were also knocked out at the semi-final stage of the Carabao Cup by Pep Guardiola’s side in January, with the same opponents ultimately emerging comfortable 3-1 winners at St James’ Park.

Harvey Barnes had given the home side the lead early on, but goals from Savinho and Omar Marmoush earned Man City a well-deserved place in the quarter-final.

Eddie Howe had been under pressure in January after leading his side to five consecutive games without victory, but the pressure was averted when they responded by winning three on the bounce.

However, losses to Man City and Everton in recent days have placed the under-fire Newcastle manager back under the cosh.

Bookies shorten Eddie Howe sack odds

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider this week that Newcastle are questioning Howe, although there remains backing behind the manager.

Yet frustrations have been building for much of the season, with the Magpies having failed throughout to find any consistency.

Howe was forced to deal with a disrupted pre-season, which included the absence and eventual departure of Alexander Isak, and the arrival of his new attack in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

Neither player has managed to hit the heights of the Swede, however, with the former now dropping back behind Will Osula, who scored a stunner against Man United on Wednesday.

Last season had set such a high bar for Howe, with Newcastle having won a historic domestic trophy while qualifying for the Champions League.

Such a strong campaign has just made this season, one in which they sit 12th in the Premier League, feel all the more disappointing.

After Saturday’s loss, one major bookmaker slashed Howe’s odds of being the next Premier League manager to be sacked to 25/1, while the likes of Scott Parker (4/5) and Oliver Glasner (1/1) remain favourites.

Newcastle fans make their feelings clear

There is obviously great affection for Howe at St James’ Park, with him leading Newcastle’s transformation over the last five years.

But repeated tactical oddities have started to wear on the fanbase, with some starting to call for his departure after Saturday’s game.

“That’s some of the worst management I’ve seen in a long time tonight from Eddie Howe,” wrote one fan. “He’s lost and he’s out of his depth, unfortunately, this is the true beginning of the end for him here”.

Another simply wrote: “Sack him, his back-room staff, his nephew and his sporting director pal.”