EDDIE HOWE has warned Newcastle United’s powerbrokers that they need to ensure he remains happy within his role if he is to remain at the club and reject a possible approach from England.
Howe is regarded as one of the leading candidates to replace Gareth Southgate as England boss, and while he spelled out his continued ambitions with Newcastle United as he spoke at the club’s pre-season training camp at Adidas’ global headquarters in Germany, he also hinted at a degree of concern after a difficult summer.
The appointment of a new sporting director and performance director has changed the backroom dynamics at St James’ Park, with Howe having lost one of his key allies when Amanda Staveley left her position as a co-owner and director.
The Magpies boss wants to retain a high level of control when it comes to recruitment, and when asked directly whether he would still be Newcastle head coach at the start of next season, he said: “As long as I’m happy in the position that I’m in. As long as I feel supported by the football club and free to work in the way that I want to work, yes. That is the crucial thing.
“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 if the dynamic isn’t right. I’m certainly not serving Newcastle well if I do that.
“It’s been a difficult summer in various aspects, no one more important than the other, but as a new team coming together (off the pitch), we have to set our boundaries. We have to see if we can work together in a really fluid, dynamic way to the benefit of Newcastle.”
READ MORE:
- Newcastle Women announce glamour pre-season friendly against AC Milan
- Newcastle chief reveals shift in transfer approach - with key talks under way
When asked whether any manager could turn England down if they came calling, Howe said: “It depends on your situation. For me, my key driver – my happiness and my ability to do my job.”
With that in mind, it was probably telling that when when he was then asked whether he retained the final say on transfers at Newcastle following Paul Mitchell’s arrival as sporting director, he said: “These are things we are working on.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here