Howe has come under scrutiny after a 7-2 defeat at Barcelona saw Newcastle eliminated from the Champions League before defeat at home to Northeast rivals Sunderland days later.
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"I don't have a stance on his future," he told BBC Sport. "What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt.
"We take it seriously. There's nothing within us that thinks, 'Well, it's just three points and on we go'. It has resonated.
"I spent a couple of hours in a one-on-one lunch recently with Eddie and we talked through a multitude of things, including that.
"Eddie is our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we will talk about the future when it's time.
"Right now, we're focused on this season's competition."