Eddie Howe remains convinced that Newcastle United’s Saudi backers are fully committed to establishing the club as a global football powerhouse, despite a recent review of a challenging season and the Public Investment Fund’s decision to withdraw funding from LIV Golf.
The 48-year-old head coach emerged from a "constructive" review at Matfen Hall on Thursday, confident that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds an 85 per cent stake in the Magpies, is still dedicated to the ambitious vision set out when they took control in October 2021. His discussions were held with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of both Newcastle and PIF.
These talks coincided with the Saudis’ announcement that they will cease funding LIV Golf, into which they have invested over $5bn (£3.7bn), at the close of the 2026 season. Despite this significant financial shift, Howe indicated he did not push for any specific assurances regarding PIF’s future financial support for Newcastle.
"No, and I didn’t seek any either," Howe stated. "But I’d say that what came through was the determination to succeed and to continue to grow the club in every aspect. 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. 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."
Howe described the meetings as consistently productive, highlighting the owners’ deep care for the club and their long-term strategic planning. "It’s always constructive because they clearly care so much about the football club, the long-term planning that’s clearly going on, on a number of levels," Howe said. "It’s very exciting times ahead for the club, regardless of what happens short-term. The long-term vision is clearly there."
While Howe has previously guided the club to the Champions League and ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy during his tenure, he conceded that this season’s league form has been below par. This was reflected in the intensity of Thursday’s discussions.
"They were challenging conversations, challenging questions, but that’s all part of it," he explained. "Those meetings, I’ve had that every year regardless of our league position where you’ll be challenged and probed on certain decisions that you’ve made, how we’ve ended up in certain scenarios, and then you explain the process behind it. This year, of course, slightly more difficult questions because of our league position, there’s no getting away from that."
Howe’s own future has been a subject of intense speculation following a run of nine defeats in 12 Premier League games, leaving Newcastle in 14th place, eight points shy of European qualification but equally distant from the relegation zone.
As the Magpies prepare to face Brighton at St James’ Park on Saturday, Howe remains focused on steering the club forward. "I have to retain that confidence. I don’t think that serves anybody not to have that long-term vision. But we need to win games." Midfielder Joelinton is available after serving a two-match ban, while Anthony Gordon could return from a hip flexor injury.
