"I DON'T BUY IT": WHY EDDIE HOWE REFUSES TO ACCEPT NEWCASTLE'S FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS
Eddie Howe defies Premier League financial rules, insisting Newcastle can outperform their 17th-place revenue rank on the pitch.
Eddie Howe isn’t letting strict financial rules dampen his ambition. If anything, he says they just make him more determined to shake things up—and he wants Newcastle’s rivals to remember that football happens on the pitch, not in some accountant’s workbook.
This Sunday, Newcastle faces Aston Villa, and it’s a reminder of how tough it is for teams punching above their weight to actually stay at the top. Thanks to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, clubs like Newcastle and Villa can’t splash the cash like the usual “Big Six”, even though both have made it to the Champions League recently. Their owners have deep pockets, but the rules keep those wallets closed.
Howe pointed to the latest Deloitte Football Money League, which puts Newcastle all the way down at 17th. Their revenue lags £380 million behind Liverpool, the top English club on that list. The gap is huge; there's no getting around it.
Still, Howe believes smart management can trump the numbers. “I’ve never thought money alone should decide who finishes where,” he said. “People say the league table follows the wage bill, but I just don’t buy that.”
He doesn’t waste time thinking about how other clubs can outspend Newcastle. If anything, that just fuels him. “We’ve got to find our own ways to win. I’ve always believed that—right from my first day in management. Football is played on the pitch, not in the bank.”
Last season, Newcastle finished fifth, even though their wage bill is only the eighth-highest in the league. Howe says the club are well aware of how far they have to go in terms of revenue. “That money league was interesting reading for us. It’s proof there’s still a long road ahead. People are probably tired of hearing us mention it, but it’s just the reality. Growing our revenues is vital, and there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make that happen.”
But at the end of the day, Howe’s philosophy is simple: make the most of what you have. “No matter what the situation is, you have to try to outperform your resources. Overachieving is the goal. Get every ounce of energy out of the squad. We still believe we can do great things, even with restrictions. We’ll always push for the very best we can get.”
Howe’s not new to this. Back when he was at Bournemouth, he took the club from League Two all the way up to the Premier League. That experience shaped the way he looks at the game now. “That first season managing, all we wanted was to stay in the league and not fall into the conference. That summer, we thought we’d be able to bring in new players to steady the ship, but then we got slapped with a transfer embargo. So we went up with the same squad.
“That taught me something important. It’s not always about what’s happening outside—signings, money, all that. Sure, those things matter the higher you climb, but real success comes from getting the best out of the players you’ve got. That’s stuck with me ever since.”
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.
