EDDIE HOWE REJECTS ENGLAND LINKS AND PLEDGES LOYALTY TO NEWCASTLE UNITED
Eddie Howe has rejected rumours linking him to the England job, insisting he is devoted to Newcastle’s long-term Premier League goals.
Eddie Howe isn’t backing down from the Newcastle United job, despite all the noise about his future. He’s heard the talk—some fans online think he’s hit the ceiling with this team, and the media keeps pushing the idea that he’s a favourite for the England job if Thomas Tuchel steps aside after the World Cup. But Howe’s staying focused on the job at hand.
CEO David Hopkinson has his back, too. Hopkinson shot down the England rumours and called Howe “devoted” to Newcastle. He’s even set his sights high, saying the club wants to win the Premier League by 2030. When someone brought that up, Howe didn’t bite. “Timelines and estimations are really hard for me as a manager,” he told Chronicle Live. “Honestly, I don’t know what next week brings, never mind four years from now. I just try to make the players better every day. Each transfer window, you hope to strengthen the squad, but beyond that, you see where it takes you. Setting deadlines doesn’t feel right to me.”
Asked about where he sees himself and the club after five years in charge and two years left on his contract, Howe just shrugged. “Who knows? I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I focus on giving my best every day until someone tells me otherwise.”
When reporters pushed him about the England job and whether he’s thinking of stepping down, Howe just shook his head. “That’s news to me. Every day, I give everything for this club, the players, and the staff. I want to inspire the team, help us win, and move the club forward. That’s all that matters—my own future isn’t really the point.”
Howe’s also aware of the fans who aren’t happy with him right now, even if he avoids social media. “Honestly, I’m glad I’m not online if it’s heated. But I think you can see we’re fighting out there. The players give me everything, game after game. Wednesday was tough—we wanted to make the final, and everyone was fired up for it. But conceding early made it hard. Still, credit to the lads for pushing in the second half and trying to get back in it.”
He didn’t sugarcoat the challenge ahead. “Now we go again, no rest. I can promise you, the players are maxed out—physically, mentally. We see how hard they work, and it’s the same for the staff. We all want success. The path isn’t straight; there are bumps, and this season’s been tough in lots of ways. But we’re giving everything we have to get the results we all want.”
BRUNO GUIMARAES REJUVENATES IN BRAZIL FOLLOWING HIGH STAKES NEWCASTLE EUROPEAN STALEMATE
Bruno Guimaraes reacts to Newcastle’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Barcelona while confirming he will miss the return leg.
Bruno Guimaraes has shared his thoughts after Newcastle United’s dramatic Champions League draw with Barcelona.
For a while, it looked like the Magpies would head to the Camp Nou next Wednesday with a narrow 1-0 lead, thanks to Harvey Barnes’ late strike in the 86th minute.
Then, things got wild. Four minutes of stoppage time went up, but in the fifth, referee Marco Guida pointed to the spot after Dani Olmo tumbled a little too easily from Malick Thiaw’s touch. Lamine Yamal, who Lewis Hall had kept quiet all night, stepped up and buried the penalty with the very last kick of the game.
It was a gut punch for Newcastle. Still, they looked a lot sharper than the last time they faced Barcelona back in September, when they lost 2-1 in the group stage.
Back then, Guimaraes wore the captain’s armband, but this time he had to watch from afar. He’s recovering from a hamstring injury in Brazil, stuck on the sidelines but still cheering his teammates on.
After the match, Guimaraes posted on Instagram: “Tremendous effort from the boys; couldn’t ask for more! Very unlucky in the end. We go again next week.”
As for his injury, Guimaraes will miss next week’s return leg in Barcelona, plus the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland four days later. He’s also set to sit out Brazil’s friendlies against France and Croatia. The hope is he’ll be ready after the international break, when Newcastle head to Crystal Palace on April 11.
Manager Eddie Howe summed things up: “I think the time frame is what it is; there’s no miracle cure for him. We’re looking at the end of the international break in March for his return. It’s a big blow for us at a key time. He’s gutted, but we can’t change it. We just have to get him back safely, and others need to step up while he’s out.
“We’ll miss everything he brings. He’s scored, created, and controlled games for us he’s just a special player. Losing him is tough, but there’s always a way forward, and it’s a chance for others to show what they can do.”
It’s now been a month since Guimarães last played he limped off late against Tottenham after helping Newcastle grab a 2-1 win. Sitting out is something new for him; before this, he’d barely missed a game.
When he found out how long he’d be out, Guimaraes wrote: “For the first time in 10 years of my career, I have to spend some time away from the pitch. I’m really sad about it, but I trust that God knows best. This muscle injury will keep me out for a few weeks, but I believe it’ll make me stronger and more prepared for what’s ahead. Thank you all for the support, messages, and concern. See you soon.”
PRESSURE PEAK: EDDIE HOWE REJECTS EXCUSES AS NEWCASTLE FACE A SEASON-DEFINING MARCH STRETCH
Eddie Howe is fighting back: Read why the Newcastle boss rejects schedule excuses and how the Magpies plan to stun Barcelona.
Eddie Howe isn’t having any of the usual excuses about a packed schedule if Newcastle’s 2025/26 season fizzles out. Right now, that’s pretty close to what’s happening in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, over on Warwick Street in Heaton, the road’s shut after a crash.
Newcastle’s been busy in Barcelona away, with big FA Cup ties against Man City. Sure, those sound exciting, but if the cup runs end early (and most bookies seem to think they will), Newcastle faces an uphill battle to save their league campaign.
If they weren’t in the cup competitions, people would probably accuse the team of checking out early, already thinking about the summer holidays. The season could still end in glory, but if they’re not careful, they’ll slip into the bottom half of the table.
Howe isn’t sugarcoating the pressure. “I hate calling anything impossible,” he said. “That just hands everyone an excuse. Yeah, it’s tough. Our schedule this year makes the one from two years ago look like a breeze.
“It’s really stretched the players’ fitness, our resources, our energy, everything. No doubt, some guys have gone into games running on empty.
“I know we’re a good side. We’ve made progress. But sometimes it feels like just when we’re moving forward, we get knocked back.”
Howe’s not thrilled about the recent run of five losses in six. “A blip like this doesn’t feel normal. It hurts. We’re always trying to give the fans what they want, and lately, we just haven’t.”
Still, a couple of years ago, Newcastle would’ve jumped at the chance to play this kind of schedule. Up next: Man United, Man City in the FA Cup, Barcelona, Chelsea, and a trip to the Nou Camp. Sunderland rounds out March, a stretch that could shape not just this season but the future of St James’ Park.
How’s the message? “You look at the fixtures; you’ve got to stay positive. We have to enjoy these games. Can’t play scared.
“We have to go after them, stay aggressive, and keep our heads up.
“A few years back, if you’d told us these were our next matches, we’d have bitten your hand off for it. Well, here we are.
“So let’s not look back. Eyes forward.”
