Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has urged Newcastle United to give under-fire manager Steve McClaren more time to turn things around at the club.
The Magpies slumped to a fifth defeat in their last six games this afternoon as Howe's Bournemouth side ran out 3-1 winners at St James' Park, with the home fans voicing their displeasure throughout the match.
With Newcastle currently sitting 19th in the Premier League table and now a point off safety, McClaren's future has come under scrutiny, but Howe believes that the former England boss is still the man for the Magpies.
When asked whether he had sympathy for McClaren, Howe told reporters: "I'm not sure sympathy is the right word because Steve is an outstanding coach, an outstanding manager. He doesn't need my thoughts expressed that way.
"But what I will say is I think he will, if given time, lead the team, lead the club to better times. I think he is a gentleman, I think he knows what he is doing.
"You look at the clubs that he has managed - there's no problem with him and I am sure better times are ahead."
Bournemouth's victory, meanwhile, takes them 11 points clear of the bottom three, although Howe has insisted that his side still have a lot of work to do to ensure their survival.
Barney Corkhill
