- Newcastle United chief David Hopkinson reassures Eddie Howe
- CEO’s initial comments came as a shock
- Magpies preparing for future with Howe
Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson has reportedly given ‘private assurances’ to Eddie Howe that his position as Newcastle manager is safe.
This came after Hopkinson appeared to cast doubt on his future last week in an interview following the disappointing 2-1 derby day defeat at home to Sunderland.
Howe has come under pressure from fans and the club alike this season after some rather poor showings throughout the Premier League season and beyond.
David Hopkinson’s initial comments
Speaking about Howe at a briefing about the club’s accounts, Hopkinson said: “I don’t have a stance on [Howe’s] future. What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt. Eddie’s our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season, and we’ll talk about the future when it’s time.
“We are not looking to make a change at the moment. We are still in the midst of the season.”
Howe was said to be taken aback by these comments and the uncertain sentiment they contained. The Magpies’ gaffer was under the impression he had the backing of the board to a much greater extent than Hopkinson’s discourse suggested.
Hopkinson makes amends with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe
Hopkinson is believed to have engaged with Howe since those comments, with the aim of reassuring him that he had not intended to create speculation.
He also made sure Howe understood that he still had the backing of those at boardroom level, where he was extremely well thought of and still had credit in the bank.
The situation is now thought to be under control, with the 48-year-old fully focused on preparations ahead of the final seven games of the season. The aim is still to qualify for Europe in some capacity despite the uphill battle the club faces.
Howe is expected to be handed a starring role in the summer’s rebuild, with the club’s scouts braced to evaluate every single position in a bid to prepare better for the strains of European football.
Howe’s Newcastle future confirmed?
The assurances Hopkinson has given Howe would appear to be an admission that the Newcastle United boss of four-and-a-half years will be continuing at the club next season.
There will likely still be conversations around possible replacements should Howe fail to guide the club to European football. Nonetheless, there seems to be an acceptance that the struggles faced this season have not necessarily been entirely his fault.
Speculation has been rife around possible replacements, and the fans have made their feelings known about it being time for a fresh face to take over.
By Howe’s own admission, the results haven’t been good enough. Speaking after the Sunderland game, he said: “I’m fully committed to the job; I’m disappointed in my delivery in the last week.
“We’ve had good bits, we’ve had bad bits, but some of the fixtures we’ve had, particularly in recent weeks, have been unrelenting to us.”
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