The TalkSPORT host, Simon Jordan, is known for his often wide-of-the-mark hot takes, much like the universally recognized facts that water is wet and the sky is blue. Surprisingly, I have a somewhat controversial opinion: I actually quite appreciate Simon Jordan. While he has made some absurd claims about our beloved Newcastle in the past, I believe that, to a certain extent, he speaks with conviction.
Not exactly sense, mind you, but he remains steadfast in his beliefs until proven wrong. And that’s what I find admirable about him – his unwavering commitment to his viewpoints.
However, when it comes to his views on Newcastle United, he tends to be incorrect more often than not. In his recent rant about Edward John Frank Howe, he missed the mark once again. Jordan does admit that he hopes he’s wrong, and there’s a high probability, around 99%, that he is indeed wrong.
In a recent TalkSPORT discussion, Jordan drew parallels between Eddie Howe’s role at Newcastle and Mark Hughes’s tenure at Manchester City during Sheikh Mansour’s early ownership days. Jordan expressed concerns about Howe’s position, suggesting a potential scenario where, as with Hughes, a new manager takes over and leads the club to success. However, there are some important distinctions to be made.
Firstly, Mark Hughes was already the manager when the Manchester City takeover occurred, whereas Eddie Howe was brought in by the PIF. While he may not have been their first choice, the results speak for themselves, indicating that it was the right decision.
Secondly, there’s a genuine and strong connection between Howe and Amanda Staveley and others involved in the club’s ownership. Given his accomplishments, including an unexpected Champions League qualification, it’s highly unlikely they would dismiss him unless there’s a significant breakdown in the team’s performance.
I understand where Jordan is coming from, as takeovers by wealthy benefactors often result in managerial changes until the perfect fit is found. However, in this case, it appears that the PIF made an excellent choice with their initial selection – Eddie Howe.
As we celebrate the second anniversary of Amanda Staveley’s involvement at St James’ Park and her removal of Mike Ashley from the picture, it’s clear that the positives have outweighed the negatives. One of the most significant positives, at least in my view, has been the appointment of Eddie Howe and the remarkable transformation he has brought to our beloved football club. Under his guidance, players like Joelinton and Sean Longstaff have shown remarkable improvement, and Jacob Murphy has turned into a high-quality winger.
We owe a great deal to Eddie Howe, and as long as Amanda Staveley has a say in the matter, it seems unlikely that he will be going anywhere anytime soon.