NEWCASTLE STADIUM CRISIS: EDDIE HOWE ISSUES HONEST WARNING OVER HIS COACHING FUTURE NOW
Eddie Howe admits he likely won't see Newcastle’s new stadium, challenging owners to end the "limbo" and find infrastructure clarity.
Eddie Howe isn't sure he'll be around long enough to see Newcastle United get a new stadium or training ground.
Just a year back, Newcastle seemed way ahead of Manchester United, but now they're behind them in the Premier League. They could be six points back if they mess up at Old Trafford.
David Hopkinson, the new boardroom boss, wants Newcastle to be world-class by 2030, but the team might be in the Prem's bottom half in 2026.
Hopkinson said earlier in the month that Newcastle would be at St. James' Park as it has been for years, and they're working on improving the training HQ. They're already planning to fix up the Academy building next door.
Howe, who's only won six out of 17 matches this season, hinted that he might not be around for the long haul before the big game against Man United.
When asked about the club's plans to move to a new stadium and improve the facilities, Howe said it was important to get things right, even if it takes longer. The Saudi-backed PIF still hasn't made any progress with plans for a new ground, five years after the takeover.
Howe, who has at least three years left on his contract, said, If it takes extra time to make the right calls, and I'm not part of that, then so be it. Get the stadium right for Newcastle for years to come. I feel the same about the training ground. Get the right place and plans. I'd rather they got it right than rushed it. I'm pretty sure I won't see either while I'm here, but I still want to make sure it's there for the future, for fans and players.
The board knows how important it is, too. They want to do it, and they're working on it. We just need to be patient and make sure it's the right answer for everyone.
Howe even said the club's long-term plans were up in the air. He said, If you look at the club as a whole, the training ground and stadium are up in the air right now.
Figuring out what to do would be a huge step. Getting clarity and moving forward in a good way would really change things.
I'm talking about the academy, too. They do great work. If we can improve the facilities—and I don't think facilities are everything—it's a good way to set standards and show what we want to do. When that happens, it will change things. Everyone wants to make it happen.
For the team, how we play is what matters. If we can really work on our style and what we want to do, then the coaches and I can work on what we believe, and hopefully, we'll have a good run at Newcastle.
We have to work on that every day, with everything we've got. The players need to know what we want. If we do that, we'll be a better team.
As Newcastle gets ready for 2026, they'll have won a domestic trophy at St. James' Park after ending a 70-year wait. They still stand a good chance of getting into the Champions League come springtime.
Howe didn't want to get too down after a great year. The last year has been unbelievable. We finally won a trophy, and when I got here, that was the main goal—after staying in the league. Then, there's the Champions League. Being in it is a great experience, and we really want to stay in it.
Overall, it's good to step back and look at everything. It's been a great year.
But winning at Old Trafford is the only thing that will keep the critics away. About the game, Howe said, "They're doing better this year; they've improved a lot." They've been competitive, and they've got some big threats in attack.
I think it'll be a good, tough game for us. It's a good chance at Christmas to enjoy the size of these games. The atmosphere will be special. Since we haven't played them yet, I think we'll see a slightly different Man United.
EDDIE HOWE CONFIRMS NEWCASTLE LINEUP SHIFTS ARE PART OF A MAJOR FUTURE STRATEGY
Eddie Howe confirms he is picking Newcastle lineups with next season in mind, trialling players like Ramsey and Woltemade early.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe isn’t pretending he’s already thinking about next season. People have been saying Kieran Trippier is close to triggering a payment if he plays more games, so that might influence whether he features again before the season ends. But Howe brushed that off and said he’s making his decisions purely for football reasons.
Talking to reporters at the City Ground about why Anthony Gordon was missing, Howe admitted he’s picking his lineup with the future in mind. Later, in his press conference, he went into more detail about focusing on what comes next at St James’ Park.
"We’re definitely looking ahead," Howe said. "You can see it in some of the choices I’m making with the team. I want to get a look at some players and see how they might grow into the squad."
One of those players is Jacob Ramsey, who came off the bench, set up Harvey Barnes with a great pass, and really changed the game. "I thought Jacob Ramsey was brilliant when he came on against Forest. He really made a difference, and so did Harvey. It’s good to see players taking their chances," Howe said.
He added, "We have to be thinking about the future now and what the team’s going to look like next year. That’s our responsibility at this point."
Before the match, Howe surprised a lot of fans by starting Lewis Hall at right-back, Nick Woltemade in midfield, and pushing Joelinton further forward than usual. Again, Howe explained he wants to see what players can do in different positions.
"It wasn’t some huge change from Brighton; we kept the same shape," Howe said. "But for Nick, this was only one of a few times he’s started in that role for us. He played alongside Will, and they haven’t had much time together either.
"There were positives for Nick, but he wasn’t involved as much as we wanted in the first half. We still need to see his best on the ball. In the second half, though, I thought we got better as a team. We attacked more and looked like a real threat as the match wore on."
MAGPIES EYE £1M BARGAIN TIAGO GABRIEL TO SOLVE GROWING DEFENSIVE INJURY CRISIS
Newcastle are leading the race against Juventus for Tiago Gabriel, the 21-year-old Serie A defensive sensation.
Newcastle United appear to be keeping an eye on Lecce’s young defender Tiago Gabriel as they consider potential options for the summer transfer window.
With Fabian Schar’s contract due to expire at the end of June, the Magpies are preparing for the possibility of his departure. Although an extension is still on the table, Schar has been sidelined since early January because of an ankle injury and doesn't seem close to making a comeback.
At 21, Gabriel has featured 36 times across all competitions this season for Lecce, who are currently four points clear of the Serie A relegation zone. Newcastle’s recruitment team is among those following his development, seemingly interested in exploring a move once the transfer window opens.
Back in December, reports surfaced that both West Ham and Juventus were also tracking Gabriel’s progress. The young defender, who came through Sporting CP’s academy, has had a strong season and will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
Gabriel transferred to Lecce last January for slightly over £1 million, moving from Portuguese club Estrela Amadora. Should he leave this summer, a significantly higher fee might be expected, reflecting his rise in form.
Before joining Estrela Amadora, Gabriel had been part of Setúbal's academy after leaving Sporting in 2020. His performances have earned him regular appearances for Portugal’s Under-21 side, and senior international opportunities may not be far off.
A switch to the Premier League could potentially boost his profile substantially, but he will likely weigh his options with some care.
According to O Jogo, Newcastle continue to monitor his situation keenly as interest around the defender grows.
Regarding Fabian Schar’s future, things remain uncertain even with just weeks left on his current deal. While Kieran Trippier has been publicly confirmed to be leaving upon contract expiration, no similar announcement has come for Schar.
Last week, Howe commented on the defender’s status, noting that no definitive decision has been made yet. He emphasised Schar’s value to the team, pointing out his unique role as a ball-playing defender and his versatility in various defensive setups.
Schar’s influence on the pitch and experience are clearly appreciated, and the club hopes he can regain full fitness before the season concludes. As for any new contract talks, Howe suggested it’s a matter of waiting to see how things unfold.
