Newcastle make Eddie Howe sack decision after tactics row and staff inquest

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Newcastle United's coaching team launched an immediate post-mortem as they left the pitch at Selhurst Park on Sunday - but Eddie Howe's position isn't believed to be under threat.

After Howe had acknowledged the travelling supporters at Crystal Palace following the 2-1 loss, senior coach Graeme Jones and the gaffer were deep in discussion as they made their way towards the tunnel. Unused substitutes including Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier , alongside the likes of Nick Woltemade, Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa, participated in a brief training drill with fitness personnel, therefore missing the debrief from Howe in the porta cabins at Selhurst.

Throughout the match, Tino Livramento - who was caught out for the leveller and delivered a substandard performance - was called over to the dugout for guidance, but appeared unconvinced by what was being communicated by set-piece coach Martin Mark and Jones. Geordie coach Jones was spotted gesturing firmly at Livramento during a heated exchange in the second period.

During his press conference, Howe willingly acknowledged that his squad had failed to absorb the guidance they were provided. It's understood that the side's approach while 1-0 ahead was examined before Howe elaborated further publicly after the fixture.

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After witnessing his side essentially ignore instructions and subsequently lose a vital match, the message regarding playing philosophy is expected to be reinforced during training this week. Initial reports from sources connected to the club suggest it will be 'business as usual' before Saturday's home fixture against AFC Bournemouth , reports our sister title ChronicleLive.

While another loss to the Cherries would intensify the speculation around Howe, the reality is it would cost Newcastle millions to terminate his contract now. Meanwhile, The Athletic are reporting that Howe still retains the backing of the board, with plans to review the situation in the summer.

Toon owners PIF are monitoring from afar but CEO David Hopkinson is taking well-informed decisions from the ground on Tyneside and remains very much based in the area. Howe said: "I've said many times that's not the tactical instruction we give the players.

"We don't want to go 1-0 up and change to a mentality of defending, but we've done it, so I can't say it hasn't happened. But then if you are going to defend, we have to defend better than we did and we gave a few chances, but we're still vulnerable towards the end of the game and that's hugely disappointing."

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Howe conducted a meeting following the 2-1 derby defeat to Sunderland with CEO Hopkinson, though the Toon boss emphasised this was a standard meeting rather than one triggered by the derby defeat. There has been speculation that Howe would resign the moment he loses universal backing from Newcastle fans, though he does still enjoy support from certain sections of the fanbase.

Should circumstances remain unchanged, one theory suggests a mutual separation could occur, but equally, Howe could still reverse fortunes in the final six matches and secure a respectable finish. A brief post on X from Newcastle United Supporters Club simply stated: "25 points dropped from winning positions. Unacceptable."

The Magpies currently sit five points adrift of eighth-placed Everton , who hold what could prove to be a Europa Conference League spot. Howe also acknowledged after the match he'd fielded a 'younger team' but refused to use that as an excuse.

Nevertheless, it suggests the likes of Blyth battler Burn and Trippier could be reinstated to the starting XI after Sven Botman and Livramento struggled against the Eagles.

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