Former Newcastle United midfielder Dan Gosling believes frustration had been growing inside the club since the beginning of last season.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Gosling said Eddie Howe had repeatedly been forced to work with transfer alternatives rather than the club’s leading targets.
He argued that this had made the manager’s position increasingly difficult, especially after Howe had already delivered major results.
Howe’s achievements should have earned full support
Gosling pointed to Newcastle’s two Champions League qualifications and their trophy success as evidence that Howe had done enough to receive stronger backing from the club.
In his view, the manager deserved complete support after changing the team’s direction and restoring Newcastle as a competitive force.
Gosling suggested that the club’s recruitment problems had placed additional pressure on Howe and limited his ability to keep progressing.
Summer signings failed to match departing players
The former midfielder identified Newcastle’s 2025 transfer business as one of the main reasons behind their disappointing 2025 to 2026 campaign.
He said the players brought in to replace those who left did not reach the same level and struggled to build understanding with the rest of the squad.
According to Gosling, the new group never fully settled during the season, which affected both performances and consistency.
Staveley’s departure changed the atmosphere
Gosling also linked the club’s decline to the departure of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, who sold their six percent stake in July 2024.
He said Howe appeared to have shared a close relationship with Staveley and may not have felt the same level of support after she left.
Gosling described Newcastle’s situation as a gradual decline rather than a sudden collapse.
Former Magpies defender John Anderson also commented on Howe’s condition, saying the manager looked tired following the club’s pre season matches.
