Former Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has cast doubt on his former club’s Premier League dominance, tipping Newcastle United as a potential title contender for the upcoming season. Pearce, who both played and managed at Manchester City, made this unexpected prediction during a recent talkSPORT interview.
Despite Manchester City’s formidable run at the end of the previous campaign, securing both the Premier League title and the Champions League, Pearce believes that this season could see a new champion emerge. Pearce stated, “To be honest with you, I think [Newcastle] are going to win the league this year.”
Pearce’s prediction is rooted in the strong recruitment efforts by Newcastle under the leadership of Eddie Howe. The Magpies kicked off their campaign with an impressive 5-1 victory over Aston Villa. Pearce sees Newcastle’s visit to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City as a crucial test of their title credentials. He emphasized the importance of Newcastle maintaining a fit squad and performing well in such key matches.
Reflecting on his experiences playing at St James’ Park, Pearce praised the electric atmosphere and intense support from the fans. He noted that Newcastle’s return to European competition after a long absence adds to the challenges for visiting clubs. Pearce reminisced, “Arguably, one of the best I’ve ever played in for the excitement and the intensity.”
Pearce also highlighted the potential impact of Kevin De Bruyne’s absence from Manchester City’s lineup, as the Belgian midfielder could be sidelined for up to four months due to injury. This, Pearce believes, could have a direct effect on the performance of last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner, Erling Haaland.
While Pearce’s prediction may raise eyebrows, it adds an intriguing layer of anticipation to the upcoming Premier League season. As Newcastle strives to re-establish itself as a top-flight force, its journey will be closely watched by football enthusiasts around the world. The clash between Newcastle and Manchester City on Saturday promises to be an early indicator of whether Pearce’s surprising forecast holds any merit.
