Eddie Howe has revealed that Newcastle United's Saudi owners remain firmly behind him and the club, but he has acknowledged that 'talk is cheap' and results must improve. The Magpies have endured a difficult season, sitting 14th in the Premier League table with just four games remaining, making European qualification increasingly unlikely.
Howe meets with PIF representatives
The Newcastle boss recently met with representatives of the club's Saudi owners, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and believes they remain committed to the long-term project. Speaking about the meeting, Howe said: "It was an opportunity to see people I hadn't seen in a while. The owners and representatives of PIF were over. It was constructive, good meetings and they clearly care about the football club and the long term planning that is going on at all levels. Exciting times ahead and the long term vision is there."
He added: "No change in terms of the support and the infrastructure. I was pleased by the level of support given to me but still understanding how football works and needing results and that will never change."
Pressure mounts on Howe
Howe was speaking ahead of this weekend's clash with Brighton at St James' Park and was asked about his position. While he admitted that he feels comfortable, he is aware that he will be judged by results. "I have never needed clarity in my head in the sense I am here, I am working and that won't change. The football club has to see we are going in the right direction. Arsenal was an upturn in performance and we need to see that again tomorrow. Talk is cheap and I am under no illusions of the importance of tomorrow," he said.
Newcastle's drop-off this season is considerable given the club finished fifth in the league last term. Howe has revealed that the owners remain committed to establishing Newcastle at the top of the table. "The desire is unchanged, to try and get to the top of the Premier League, to try and win as many trophies consistently as possible that I don't think while PIF are, our owners, or part owners, majority owners that will change. They are very ambitious for the football club. A lot of things they need to do to elevate the club will take a bit of time. We are going back to the stadium, the training ground, that their longer terms, these things don't happen with the click of the fingers because everything of course is interlinked to income. As much as everyone wants to fast forward that, sometimes these things, to get it right, take a bit of time," he explained.
Howe remains motivated
Despite the difficult season, Howe insists his motivation levels remain high. "I don't need reinvigorating. I'm invigorated. My motivation levels are really high. I think you learn a lot from these moments we are in. I'm learning a lot currently. Difficult runs force you to really revaluate everything and improve so sometimes in the most disappointing moments are the times when you improve the most," he said.
