Eddie Howe breaks silence on Newcastle future as meeting with club owners looms

The Magpies suffered a tough 1-0 loss to Arsenal on the road on Saturday evening, despite holding their own against the Premier League table-toppers for the majority of the match.

However, having failed to win any of their four last fixtures in the English top flight, compounded with a heartbreaking exit from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona, the pressure is mounting on the seasoned head coach to turn the tide on Tyneside.

Now, it has been revealed that the 48-year-old is set to discuss his future with United's owners next week, with Howe speaking about the meeting in the aftermath of the loss to Arsenal.

He told Sky Sports: "These are things that we always have every year. Obviously this one will be slightly harder for me I'm sure, but it will be good to meet with the owners and discuss the future."

While a number of fans have grown frustrated with the performances that Howe has inspired as of recent, Jamie Redknapp argued that the Englishman should alone be afforded the opportunity to determine when his stint with Newcastle has run its course.

He argued: "I think Eddie has done enough to decide whatever he wants at the club. I think there's a genuine love for him up there.

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"I think the fans will be disappointed with the season, understandably, I think they're 14th in the league. They'll have expected a lot more when you look at what they've done previously."

He added: "He deserves the opportunity and the luxury of deciding what happens. There might come to a point at the end of the season Eddie thinks, 'I've maybe taken this group as far as I can.'

"I looked at that squad today and that starting team and you've got [Nick] Woltemade doesn't start, whose big money signing. [Anthony] Elanga doesn't start - big money signing. [Yoane] Wissa...

"So there's obviously something not right with the recruitment however that's worked out, because for the money they've spent, for those players not to be starting isn't good enough. And the performances haven't been acceptable."

Paul Merson, meanwhile, added: "I'm a big fan of Eddie Howe. If Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle, they'll be queueing up around the corner for him. So that tells you everything. Be careful Newcastle.

"Chelsea would take him tomorrow morning, you'd like to think so wouldn't you? In my opinion, they'd take him all day long. We're talking about a next England manager, 100 per cent.

"As I say, everybody would be queueing up to take Eddie Howe, he's a top manager. He's just had injuries and with the [Alexander] Isak thing at the end of the season.

"Isak was a big player for them, ripped Arsenal to shreds in the semi-finals last year when they went on and won it. He's a top player. These two have come in, no disrespect to them, they just haven't fulfilled it yet."

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.