Asked if he had sympathy for the former England manager, Howe said: "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."
Howe was understandably delighted with his side's performance as Steven Taylor's own goal, a Josh King strike and Charlie Daniels late piledriver eclipsed Ayoze Perez's effort, but insisted their job was not done yet.
He said: "No, that's not us just about there. We have got a lot more work to do. We play Swansea next week, so the games get bigger from our perspective.
"We don't want to let up until we know we are safe, and even if we are able to hit that mark, then we want even more.
"I was very, very pleased with the players. I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves today. The only disappointment from my perspective is that the game wasn't over earlier."