Newcastle United's sporting director Dan Ashworth has admitted concerns that manager Eddie Howe could become a target for Manchester City if he continues to achieve success at St James' Park. Ashworth's comments come ahead of Newcastle's Premier League clash with Manchester United this weekend.
Speaking to the press, Ashworth expressed a delicate balance for Howe: winning too many games could attract interest from top clubs like Real Madrid or Manchester City, while losing too many would jeopardise his position at Newcastle. He stated, 'If he wins too many games he becomes attractive to, I don't know, Real Madrid or Manchester City.'
Ashworth praised Howe's character and coaching abilities, highlighting his values, work ethic, and emotional intelligence. He emphasised that Newcastle have tied Howe to a long-term contract, signalling their desire for him to be a central part of the club's journey. 'He’s fundamentally a really good person... I think he’s a really good coach,' Ashworth added.
Newcastle currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, having lost only one match this season. A victory at Old Trafford could see them leapfrog Manchester United, adding pressure on Erik ten Hag's position. Meanwhile, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has been linked with a potential departure, fuelling speculation about his successor.
