EDDIE Howe has hit back at sporting director Paul Mitchell's criticism of Newcastle's transfer strategy in recent years and launched a staunch defence of United's recruitment.

In a sit-down briefing with the media during the international break, Mitchell said there "hasn't been a clear strategy over the last five years" on Tyneside and questioned whether the club's scouting network was "fit for purpose".

But head coach Howe says he's "very proud" of Newcastle's business in recent years, with several signings helping the Magpies scramble out of relegation trouble and soar into the Champions League.

Howe also revealed he hasn't spoken to Mitchell since the sporting director's interview but insists there's no "civil war" behind the scenes at St James' Park,

Asked for his verdict on Mitchell's interview and the sporting director's comments on recent recruitment, Howe said: "I think a few things on that. I’m very, very proud of every single player that we signed in that period.

"It is very easy to look back at any transfer window and make a judgement on the players you have signed three years down the line. But you have to go back to the situation when we were in those moments, in the relegation zone and trying to recruit players. That is not an easy thing to do.

"You’re also recruiting not just for the short term, but for the long term. When you look back, that work was good.

"Our objective was to stay in the league, so I’m not going to critique every signing, but I’m very, very proud of the body of work that we did and the players that we have now from the legacy of those transfer windows.

"We love them to bits. So I think it’s about when you’re in that moment and the decisions that you made. I think everyone can hold their heads up very high.

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“I’m very, very proud of those signings. I’ve said all along in press conferences that I don’t want to make it about old structure and new structure but those signings obviously I played a huge part in and I took ownership of all those signings. I said that even if they’re good or bad I will take ownership of that because ultimately I was always the final decision maker on those signings and I was very proud to sign those players.

“I think they have been brilliant signings for the where we were and the long term future of the club and I really believe in them and I still do.

“You’ve asked me a question and I’ll always try and answer it if I can openly and honestly. I’d certainly like to find a few more of them if I could.”

Mitchell also said Newcastle "have to be better" when it comes to scouting.

Asked for his response on those comments, Howe said: "I think that is for Paul to answer. I don’t think I can answer for him. The scouting structure was there, and whatever you think about the structures I thought the results were very good.

Having arrived in the summer, Mitchell also claimed he only played a supporting role in the club's recruitment in the most recent window.

Howe said: "I don’t think it’s right for me to make individual comments in reply to Paul’s press conference. I don’t think that will help our current situation. It’s best for me to focus on the future."

Despite the opposing views and Newcastle's turbulent summer, Howe says there has to be "collaboration" behind the scenes at Newcastle - though the head coach and sporting director haven't been in contact since Mitchell's interview last week.

Howe said: "You have to give your opinion as that's what you are paid to do. If you believe in fighting for something that is for the long term benefit of the club I will always do that. But it has to be collaboration, that's the key thing, giving your views together for the best thing for the football club. It cannot be about one person's view, it can't be one person dictating what happens. It has to be collaborative, it has to be everyone coming together for the best interests of the football club."

He added: "I've had no contact from Paul (since the sporting director's interview), but I don't think that's unusual. We’ve got different jobs to do. I’m focusing on the football and the team, and he’s obviously focusing on his role.

"The civil war stuff, absolutely not, in my experience. But I am cocooned in my work and absolutely focused on the players and the training, and I know you might be bored of that answer but it is what I do every single day that I am here. "