Newcastle United held a dressing room summit after Eddie Howe criticism
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe speaks in a team huddle during the open training session in the lead up to the UEFA Champions League Match at Newcastle United Training Centre on January 20, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s dressing room summit has played a big part in driving an upturn in results over the last couple of games as the senior players look to give Eddie Howe as much support as they can.
Kieran Trippier came out after the Brentford defeat to insist that the experienced players in the side would come together and drive better standards amid an increase in pressure on the manager after five games without a win.
They have been true to their word. A meeting between the squad resulted in honest and frank discussions about the performances and two wins – both on the road – have followed with the Magpies first beating Tottenham Hotspur, then going to third-placed Aston Villa in the FA Cup and coming away with a famous victory.
Trippier spoke again after the Villa win, insisting the players are fully behind the boss and giving further insight about what was said behind closed doors.
“We’ve been under scrutiny a bit, but we regrouped after Brentford, we had a good talk with ourselves – just us players,” he admitted. “Good win away from home, I’m delighted for Sandro [Tonali] to score, he’s been unbelievable for us.
“We looked at ourselves as players in the dressing room [after the Brentford defeat], but also for the manager. I’ve known him over half my life. You see all this stuff on social media which he doesn’t deserve. We are fully behind him and are fully playing for him.”
Sitting in the Match of the Day studio, Alan Shearer was asked about the players’ backing for Howe. He retorted: “So they should be and so should the fans be. Social media isn’t the place to judge opinions, especially not on football when results aren’t going for you.
“Yes at times you can criticise, that’s fine but what he’s done for Newcastle and his experience, no he was never under any pressure from me for losing his job. We need to keep hold of him for what he’s done and what he can do going forward at Newcastle United.
“If he was under any pressure then the players have answered. Their away form has been really poor this season but two away games, Tottenham and today [Villa] that tells you what they think of the manager, if he was under any pressure.”
It was a verdict echoed by fellow pundit Wayne Rooney, who believes Howe has answered all questions about his ability to do the job and clearly has the backing of the squad.
“As players you do sometimes feel your manager is getting a bit more pressure than he should be,” he said. “What Eddie Howe has done for Newcastle United is incredible the last few years.
“There was a bit of question mark when he went into the job but he’s shown what a top-class manager he is. He’s won the Carabao Cup.
“Kieran Trippier has shown what all the players have probably felt and spoken about as well when he said they’ve had that player’s meeting, that we need to do this for the manager because of what he’s done for them players.”
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