Eddie Howe gestures on the touchline during a Newcastle United match.
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has defended under-fire manager Eddie Howe, describing him as a club legend despite a poor start to the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The Magpies have managed just three wins from their first 11 league matches, leaving them only two points above the relegation zone. Their latest setback came with a 3-1 defeat to Brentford. Howe himself admitted his players’ mentality and energy were lacking after a previous loss against West Ham.
“The dynamism wasn’t there. The physicality and the energy were missing. We scored early and could have grabbed hold of the game but we didn’t and let it slip away. It didn’t look like a Newcastle team that we’ve seen in recent seasons,” Howe said.
Krul, who spent 11 years with Newcastle, acknowledged the struggles but stressed that Howe deserves support.
“There are a couple of points off the relegation zone, so does this feel like maybe a mini crisis for the club? Yeah, of course, but I think the people in charge know the task at hand for this season,” Krul told Sky Sports.
He added that injuries, suspensions, and missing attacking contributions have all played a part in the team’s struggles but said Howe is fully aware of what needs to improve.
Extending his praise, Krul said:
“I’m a big fan of Eddie and I think he single-handedly changed the club and the people’s expectations in that city. He’s going to go down as one of those legend managers this club has ever had. Yes, of course, there could be some criticism, it’s not good enough to not win an away game since April, but ultimately I think if you asked any fan a couple of years ago to have a trophy and to challenge the Champions League and to fire on all cylinders in the top competitions out there, I think they would have signed for that.”
Krul’s words highlight the faith that former players and fans alike continue to place in Howe as he seeks to restore Newcastle’s Premier League form while maintaining success in other competitions.
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