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It was hardly a surprise that, earlier in May, owners, executives and leading figures plotted how to bounce back during an annual summit in Northumberland.
"We are in a moment right now and they want to understand why, what we are doing about it and how to fix it," a senior source said.
Rather than reacting emotionally, though, those at the top have sought to address what has gone wrong with the help of thorough, dispassionate analysis.
Some big changes are coming and this squad will look different when next season kicks off.
There remains a gap in valuation between Bayern Munich and Newcastle, who will only sell on "our terms", but Anthony Gordon looks set to be among those to leave.
Factoring in potential outgoings, Newcastle could need a goalkeeper, full-back, midfielder and a couple of forwards as a bare minimum.
Having grown "frustrated" with recurring on-the-field issues he has been unable to solve, Howe said the club are "very clear" on what is required this summer after a disappointing 12th-placed finish.
It will take more than new faces alone, but Howe has pointed to examples of other clubs climbing the table following some smart recruitment in a single window.
As BBC Sport previously reported, the head coach has been viewed as part of the diagnosis and solution going into a crucial summer rebuild led by sporting director Ross Wilson.
In some ways that does not come as a huge shock.
This is the man who ended Newcastle's 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy only last season by winning the Carabao Cup.
But standards have fallen and there is a recognition internally that this season has not been good enough.
Just as you have never quite known what to expect from this team, the same is true of Howe, who has often been scrambling for a formula.
The bar needs to be reset following his worst domestic campaign yet at Newcastle.
"It's something we need to address and we need to address it very quickly," Howe said.
