Eddie Howe now gets assurances from Newcastle United hierarchy he wanted – Successful meeting


 
 
 
 
 
 

After a successful meeting, Eddie Howe has now got the assurances from the Newcastle United hierarchy that he wanted.

This follows a media day in Germany on Friday.

When Eddie Howe gave a number of interviews to those who regularly cover Newcastle United, including one to a number of newspaper journalists (see below).

The Telegraph has reported in an exclusive on Monday that ‘Club chiefs reassure manager he will continue to hold significant power after he sparked alarm with comments about restructuring.’

The report says that in a number of meetings led by CEO Darren Eales, the Newcastle United hierarchy confirmed the state of affairs for Eddie Howe and NUFC ‘are confident he would reject any potential interest from England.’

The Telegraph saying that ‘The club’s board were alarmed by Howe’s comments on Friday when he expressed concern over changes in the management structure this summer and questioned his future if those issues were not addressed… Newcastle had not been warned Howe would go public with his frustrations and rather than rebuke their manager, the key power brokers have offered reassurances he will continue to hold significant power and will not be reduced to a first-team coach… reassured Howe he would have a say in recruitment and be involved in all major decisions over the club’s direction of travel.’

I think a major lesson learned here hopefully in terms of better communications within the club, because if indeed Eddie Howe had never had anything to worry about in terms of potential changes, then surely Darren Eales and/or others in the club hierarchy should have informed Eddie Howe immediately that this was the case, when the new Sporting Director was announced, or at any other time that major changes are made.

The report says that the new Newcastle United management structure will be a collaboration between Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell (as well as performance director James Bunce), and that nothing will be imposed on Howe.

I think at the heart of everything, is how recruitment will work, especially when it comes to having the final say on which players are signed for the first-team squad.

The newspaper says that Eddie Howe has been reassured that no first-team squad players will be signed that he does not want and that he is more than happy to allow a shortlist of players to be drawn up for him to assess, players from abroad, as well as those already with Premier League experience.

The report adds that potential summer departures have also been discussed with Eddie Howe, The telegraph stating ‘…it would appear increasingly certain that England international Kieran Trippier will be sold this summer, with interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia. There are also doubts about midfielder Sean Longstaff, who only has a year left on his contract, as well as winger Miguel Almiron and centre forward Callum Wilson, who has picked up a back injury early in pre-season.’

It is good to hear that the club have reportedly responded in a positive way to what Eddie Howe said on Friday and just maybe, it didn’t do any harm the Head Coach saying what he did…

Eddie Howe talking to journalists on Friday about Newcastle United and the future – 19 July 2024:

“I absolutely want to stay but it has to be right for me and the football club.

“There’s absolutely no point in me saying I’m happy staying at Newcastle United if the dynamic isn’t right.

“I’m certainly not serving Newcastle United well if I do that.

“So, as long as I am happy, feel supported, feel free to work in the way that I want to work, I have not thought of anything else other than Newcastle United.

“I absolutely love the club.

“I love the supporters.

“I love where I am at in my career.

“There is no better place for me to be.

“That is how I feel.

“There has been a lot of change at the football club this summer.

“It has been a very difficult summer for everyone connected with the club.

“With change comes always a new feeling.

“You can point to PSR, Amanda [Staveley] and Mehrdad [Ghodoussi], a change in sporting director which, of course, influences me.

“These are all big changes. That is why I have made the points that I have because this has to work for Newcastle United

“It is not about me as the manager.

“I’m slightly irrelevant.

“It’s about making sure Newcastle United is as strong as it can be for the next season and beyond.

“We have all got to come together and make sure that we are the force that we want to be.

“For me, it’s not about England. That is absolutely someone else’s conversation, not mine. Mine is Newcastle United.

“To speak about something else while manager of Newcastle United is wrong.

“I don’t think I have to say the answer again. The answer is clear.

“At any football club it can’t be one man’s decision [when it comes to transfers] and I wouldn’t expect that to be the case.

“I think collaboration on every level is vital.

“There has to be a unity around every decision because it is so big now.

“That collaboration is important to me.

“It’s difficult because Amanda and Mehrdad have been incredible for the football club along with everyone else. It has been a real team effort since I have been here. I built up a strong relationship with them. They were very active and vocal and supportive.

“England is not even in my focus, it’s all about Newcastle United, it has been all summer.

“I think England is a very special job for someone. I am very patriotic and I’m not ashamed to say that. I love my country. I want my country to do well. I was gutted for Gareth and the lads that they did not win the Euros but I don’t have that job like a burning sensation in me, that I have to do it at some stage.

“I have been really happy for two and a half years at Newcastle United and I have loved every second of the relationships that I’ve had and the way I’ve been able to work.

“I think that has brought success.

“We’re in the flux of change, it’s just happened.

“I can’t say with a definitive answer where that will lead. I hope it leads to everything that I’ve just said. I’m not really seeking assurances.

“It will be a feeling because the club have made decisions.

“I don’t think I have the right to challenge those or want to challenge those decisions.

“The club has to choose its direction and that is absolutely their right.

“I’ve got no issue with that, but obviously, I have to be happy in my work.

“I have to feel that this is something that can benefit me and the football club for it to work.”