Alious“SO DIFFERENT!” – Jack Colback Breaks Silence on Newcastle and Sunderland, Tips Eddie Howe to Bounce Back and Praises Black Cats’ Remarkable Rise
Former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback has opened up on the contrasting fortunes of his two former clubs — giving his backing to Eddie Howe while also hailing Sunderland’s impressive progress this season.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the 36-year-old midfielder — who famously made the controversial switch from Sunderland to Newcastle in 2014 — admitted that the Magpies’ European commitments have taken a toll on their Premier League form, but insists Howe remains the right man for the job.
> “It’s tough. Playing in Europe takes a lot out of you. You have to lift yourself for those big midweek games and then do it again a few days later in the league,” Colback explained. “You see it with a lot of clubs — balancing Europe and domestic football is never easy.”
Despite Newcastle’s poor start — with the defeat to Brentford leaving them just two points above the drop zone — Colback remains confident they’ll recover.
> “Eddie Howe shouldn’t be under any pressure,” he continued. “He’s done an incredible job, and people forget Newcastle can’t just spend freely despite the money behind them. Losing someone like Alexander Isak is huge. But I’d still back them to finish much higher than where they are now.”
– “A Great Club” – Colback Praises Sunderland’s Transformation
Though his move to Newcastle made him unpopular among Sunderland fans, Colback admits he still keeps an eye on the Black Cats, and he’s been impressed by their resurgence under their current manager.
> “What Sunderland are doing right now is remarkable,” he said. “You look at teams that came up last season and went straight back down, but Sunderland have shown real progress. They’ve signed smartly, built a good squad, and the manager’s done brilliantly for someone only in his second season in English football.”
He described Sunderland as a “great club” with real potential to go even further if they maintain their current form.
Colback on European Ambitions
Asked whether Sunderland could push for European qualification in the near future, Colback said it was not impossible:
> “Why not? The Premier League’s changed so much. The gap between the top and the rest isn’t what it used to be. You can rise and fall quickly — just look at **Aston Villa**, they were struggling not long ago and now they’re flying.”
He added:
> “Against big sides like Arsenal, Sunderland have shown they can compete. It’s so different from when I was there — the level, the ambition, everything. Anything’s possible for them now.”
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With Newcastle fighting to rediscover form and Sunderland quietly climbing, Colback’s words reflect the striking contrast between the two North East giants — and the changing landscape of English football itself.
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