Liverpool legend discusses Newcastle firing Eddie Howe ahead of Anthony Gordon exit
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesNewcastle United FCNewcastle United have twice qualified for the Champions League under Eddie Howe, but their progress in the Premier League has stalled in recent timesNewcastle United's Eddie Howe(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)Former Liverpool and Newcastle winger John Barnes believes it is unrealistic to expect Newcastle United to be competing for Premier League titles at this point in their evolution as a club.As such, Barnes argues that manager Eddie Howe deserves more time to build on the foundations laid since the Saudi-backed consortium completed their takeover four-and-a-half years ago.Although Howe has guided Newcastle to two Champions League qualifications and ended their long wait for silverware by defeating Liverpool to claim the Carabao Cup in 2025, their Premier League form faltered last season. Howe's side continued to shine in cup competitions, progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League and the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, yet their domestic league campaign proved a significant letdown, with Anthony Gordon now set to leave the club.A 12th-place finish in the top flight fell well short of what had been anticipated at the start of the campaign.This underwhelming league performance has heaped pressure on the Newcastle head coach, though he has secured the full support of the board and owners following direct talks on Tyneside last month.Nevertheless, Barnes — who spent two years at Newcastle during the twilight of a distinguished career that reached its pinnacle with Liverpool and England — believes that financial constraints remain a significant factor, and that Howe remains the right man to steer the club forward.
"Absolutely, he should be for what he's done," Barnes told Betfred."The expectation is there because the money is there as they're one of the the richest clubs in the world because of their owners but firstly, they're not going to be able to spend as much as Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea and secondly, they're not going to sign as good players, so for those reasons, why should Newcastle be challenging the top five.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign."They need to build slowly.
They've won a trophy now so I believe that Eddie Howe should definitely be the man to move them forward."Does taking them forward mean winning the Champions League and the Premier League? That's not going to be happening for four or five years, so for that reason I don't believe anybody could come in at the moment and do a better job than Eddie Howe."Newcastle are bracing themselves for a hectic transfer window, with several arrivals and departures anticipated at St James' Park over the coming weeks and months.Anthony Gordon looks set to depart, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Liverpool all pursuing the England winger.Meanwhile, the Magpies are understood to be targeting reinforcements in key areas, with a goalkeeper, full-backs and additional goalscoring firepower amongst their priorities.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Newcastle United FCLiverpool FC