Alan Shearer believes Eddie Howe will not be manager of Newcastle United when next season begins, despite the current boss pledging to battle on at St James' Park.
The Magpies have endured a remarkable collapse, sitting 14th in the table just one season after securing Champions League qualification and lifting the Carabao Cup.
Their recent run has been particularly dire, with three successive 2-1 losses threatening to derail the entire campaign.
The defeat to local rivals Sunderland proved especially painful for supporters.
Speaking on the The Rest is Football podcast, the club's record goalscorer expressed serious reservations about whether Howe has the appetite to continue.
"I don't see Eddie Howe in charge of Newcastle next season, unfortunately. I look at his interview and I'm not sure the fight is there," Shearer said.
The former striker questioned whether Howe would want another crack at turning things around, having observed his demeanour following the Bournemouth defeat.
Eddie Howe has overseen a difficult season at Newcastle
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To worsen things for Newcastle, expensive summer recruits have failed to make the expected impact, with high-profile forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa both finding themselves on the bench in recent matches.
Howe has repeatedly altered his starting line-up searching for a winning formula, but the right combination continues to elude him.
Shearer was scathing in his assessment of the squad's efforts during the recent poor run.
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Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS"I looked at the players and if that was what they call fighting for their manager, they were terrible," he remarked.
"The players chucked him under the bus."
The Newcastle legend suggested the team had badly let down their manager when he needed their support most.
His comments paint a picture of a dressing room that has failed to rally behind Howe during the club's most difficult period since the Saudi-backed takeover transformed expectations on Tyneside.
Yet Howe had struck a defiant tone before the Bournemouth match, insisting he remained committed to the cause.
"I just want to serve the club and do what's right for the football club," he stated. "That's always been my aim."
Newcastle have seen big-money signings struggle at the club
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The manager acknowledged he would step aside if it benefited Newcastle, but maintained his belief that he remains the right person for the job.
"I'll fight harder than I've ever fought before," Howe declared.
Whether that fighting spirit can survive the current crisis remains to be seen.
Newcastle are next in action against Arsenal on Saturday, with the Gunners battling to win the Premier League title.