The moment Newcastle United fans have been waiting for is right in front of us. A defeat to Aston Villa on Friday, which is likely to happen, and at least a draw for Fulham against Manchester City would see the Magpies fall into the bottom three.
Obviously the current state of the club generates the worst possible emotions, but the front office has said that it will only consider a managerial change if Newcastle United fall into the bottom three. That will happen in no time the way Fulham are playing as they closed the survival gap to one point.
The fact that Mike Ashley and his “yes” men have held off on sacking Steve Bruce for this long is a joke, especially since the majority of fans have been calling for that move since the defeat to Sheffield United. With relegation on the horizon, the Newcastle United decision-makers need to act quickly and compile a shortlist of replacement candidates.
Personal opinion here, but what is most likely to happen is Bruce gets sacked, and Graeme Jones is promoted from assistant coach to interim manager to conclude the season.
Graeme Jones would be good, but Eddie Howe is the ideal manager for Newcastle United.
Depending on what happens after Matchweek 38, it would be interesting to see if Jones will earn a permanent role. However, there is one proven manager who should be staying near his phone: Eddie Howe.
Newcastle United exceeded expectations with luck on their side last season after Rafa Benitez left, but that luck has run out this term. The squad itself is fully capable of knocking on the door of the top ten, but Bruce’s poor team selections, shocking formations, and selective man management led to a wasted campaign.
This football club is screaming for a progressive manager who goes into each game with the mentality of trying to win before trying not to lose.
Eddie Howe fits that bill and he has worked miracles with Bournemouth despite operating on limited funds, which is music to the ears of Mike Ashley, yet Howe found ways to motivate his players each week.
A team originally designed to play in the third and fourth tiers of English football does not stay in the Premier League for five seasons by luck. That credit belongs to Howe as the manager. What is important to note is the fact that Bournemouth did not just survive by the skin of their teeth most seasons.
They actually took the game to their opponents, scored goals for fun, and finished in comfortable positions. That style of play, and that overall effort is exactly what the Toon Army want to see on Tyneside.
Howe is patiently waiting for the right opportunity, and something tells me he would jump at the chance to manage a club often described as the sleeping giant of English football.
Newcastle United just need to make the call… ASAP.