Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has made a bold claim, suggesting Eddie Howe may struggle to win major trophies at Newcastle United.
Howe has done an astonishing job since arriving at St James’ Park in November 2021, transforming the Magpies from relegation contenders to guide them into the upper echelons of the Premier League.
Despite the club’s new-found wealth at the time, performances on the pitch were woeful, with Newcastle languishing in the relegation zone when Howe arrived.
The English tactician steered the club to a mid-table finish in his debut season before earning a commendable spot in the Premier League top four during his first full campaign in charge.
The Magpies also came agonisingly close to League Cup success under Howe’s leadership before losing out to Manchester United in the final.
A domestic title will undoubtedly be the primary objective for the English manager this season, although Jordan believes Newcastle may be better off hiring someone with a proven track record to further the club’s project.
“There’s going to be this conversation eventually, which is what does it take for Newcastle to win the Premier League?” Jordan said on talkSPORT. “What does it take for Newcastle to win the FA Cup?
“I just think there’s a journey that you go through when you’re evolving in football club when they go through the transition, and very rarely that somebody gets to take you all the way along.”
“I think he [Howe] will have some significant achievements along the way but if the aim is for Newcastle to win significant things,” Jordan added.
“I don’t know if it will be Eddie Howe that gets the benefit of that achievement, but what he would be is a remarkable pathway for someone else to do it.”
Jordan’s assertion comes after Newcastle’s astonishing 4-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in their first Champions League home fixture in two decades.
The victory took the Magpies to the top of Group F – the so-called ‘Group of Death’ – building on their remarkable form over the past few weeks.
Newcastle have gone six games unbeaten across all competitions, including four consecutive wins while conceding just once.
They will look to continue their extraordinary record when they travel to West Ham United this weekend.
