Eddie Howe will continue as Newcastle United's head coach next season following pivotal discussions with the club's Saudi Arabian ownership this week.
The 48-year-old manager held talks with a delegation of 25 representatives from the Public Investment Fund, Newcastle's majority stakeholder, during annual meetings at Matfen Hall in Northumberland.
Despite the Magpies languishing in 13th position in the Premier League table, both parties reached agreement on Howe's future at St James' Park.
The manager remains eager to stay at the club, whilst the hierarchy continues to offer their backing, making his departure unlikely barring unforeseen circumstances.
Eddie Howe will retain his position as Newcastle head coach despite a difficult season
|REUTERS
The current campaign has fallen well short of expectations, with Newcastle suffering an emphatic 8-3 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 and enduring a sequence of five consecutive losses across all competitions.
Saturday's 3-1 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion represented their first victory in six matches, halting a run of four straight league defeats.
However, the ownership has weighed this season's struggles against Howe's considerable achievements during his tenure, including two Champions League qualifications and securing the club's first major domestic silverware since 1955 with last season's Carabao Cup triumph.
Howe took charge at Newcastle in November 2021, inheriting a side sitting 19th in the top flight following the PIF-led consortium's acquisition of the club.
He initially steered the Magpies to Premier League survival before orchestrating a remarkable transformation, guiding them to fourth place and Champions League football in the 2022/23 season.
Newcastle are currently 13th in the Premier League
| GETTYA top-five finish two campaigns later secured another European qualification, whilst the Carabao Cup victory ended a 68-year wait for major domestic honours.
The former Bournemouth boss, who elevated that club from the fourth tier to the Premier League across two spells, signed contract extensions in both 2022 and 2023.
All parties have acknowledged that this season's performance cannot be repeated, with the Matfen Hall discussions reportedly producing consensus on the path forward.
Eddie Howe has come under fire from sections of the Newcastle fans
|REUTERS
The Brighton result proved crucial, with PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan present to witness supporters chanting Howe's name during the victory.
Newcastle's final three fixtures against Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Fulham still carry significance in the overall assessment, though the decision appears largely settled.
Looking ahead, the club recognises that summer recruitment must improve markedly after last year's transfer window, with strengthening the starting eleven considered essential for any realistic prospect of returning to European competition.