Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson sent a video message to club staff following Sunday's 2-1 Tyne-Wear derby loss to Sunderland, in an attempt to boost morale. The defeat, inflicted by goals from Brian Brobbey and Chemsdine Talbi after Anthony Gordon's opener, has intensified scrutiny on manager Eddie Howe's position.
In the leaked video, Hopkinson acknowledged the pain of the loss, saying: "There is no point in pretending it doesn't hurt, it does." He added: "We are building something very real here, a club that is consistently competing at the highest levels of sport. It hurts us because we care."
Hopkinson quoted American football coach Vince Lombardi, stating: "It's not whether or not you get knocked down, it's how you get up." He emphasised that the club's journey is "not a straight line" and that "enthusiasm and conviction will remain undiminished."
Newcastle currently sit 12th in the Premier League, four points behind seventh-placed Brentford, with seven matches remaining. Howe is believed to retain the support of the club and is expected to work with Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson in the summer transfer window.
The Magpies face Crystal Palace on April 12, followed by fixtures against Bournemouth, Arsenal, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Fulham to end the season.
