Magpies showing Villa Howe it’s done
EDDIE Howe’s long-term pledge to Newcastle United works both ways – according to insiders at St James’ Park.
The Magpies handed Howe a renewed contract on the eve of the season with the deal understood to run for at least six more years. Howe could also get opportunities to extend as the club makes progress.
The aim from all at United is to put a trophy on the table in the next six seasons. And they see Howe as the perfect man to do it, something the ex-bournemouth boss has not shirked away from, talking up cup success and European qualification in recent weeks, albeit over time.
When Howe signed the deal – which did not contain an England release clause – PIF made it clear they were delighted with the direction United were going in. In a week that has seen Howe’s managerial counterpart Steven Gerrard sacked after just 40 matches, there is a different attitude around United when it comes to patience.
Howe himself endured a rough winter spell last season when he first took over when he was knocked out the cup by Cambridge and won just one game in nine. But he was never under any serious pressure from within and that attitude has merely be enhanced by the arrival of calm sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The attitude is best summed up by Toon supremo Yasir Al-rumayyan who said this month: “The club we are building is made up of people who understand our long-term vision, and who understand the patience and persistence that it will take to achieve those goals.
“Those values are reflected in the players that we bring to the club. Bringing the women’s team into direct ownership of the club is a part of that plan.
“Progress won’t always be smooth – but we will always forge ahead. You can rest assured that we are all working very hard to drive the club forward.”
Steven Gerrard could have done with that type of calmness and backing this week at Villa. Despite an indifferent run, Gerrard was sacked at the first sight of trouble and found out on the team bus after the loss against Fulham.
Villa must now pay Gerrard 18 months compensation for hitting the panic button. Gerrard was under consideration for Newcastle but ended up at Villa after a number of candidates were in the running on Tyneside. Back then Villa made it clear that Gerrard was the only man they wanted, while Newcastle stated they were speaking to a number of head coaches.
Rather than look at other candidates for the job, Howe went through the application process and impressed Toon owners along the way.
Newcastle scouts still busy ahead
of the January window
Eddie Howe stated that Newcastle are not expecting to splash out in the January window after two strong trading periods that saw the club spend over £200m.
But that does not mean that Newcastle aren’t taking a look at what’s out there for 2023. The Magpies sent a representative to Hearts for their recent 5-1 defeat against Fiorentina with Cristian Kouame one of the stars on show that night.
The Ivory Coast international was on loan at Anderlecht last season and hit eight goals in Belgium. He has three to his name this season including an overhead kick at Hearts in front of watching Toon scouts.
Paul Dummett suffers injury as Manquillo reaches six-month mark
without a game
Newcastle’s long serving defender Paul Dummett has been a notable omission from the squad for the last three Premier League squads. Dummett signed a new deal last summer but is yet to kick a ball in the Prem this season.
But Howe stated he had suffered a new injury problem this week. He said: “Paul Dummett picked up a calf problem, so he’s working his way back to fitness.”
Javier Manquillo, another lesser sighted player, has also been out with a an ankle problem. Manquillo has not played for six months since the 5-1 mauling at Spurs.