Alan Shearer has criticised Newcastle United's hierarchy for failing to support manager Eddie Howe during the summer transfer window. The club legend took to social media shortly after the deadline passed, writing: 'They haven’t helped Eddie at all. Failed him.'
Newcastle had targeted a new centre-back and right-winger on deadline day, but moves for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga were unsuccessful. The club was constrained by the Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations (PSR), forcing the sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliott Anderson, while Anthony Gordon was nearly sold to Liverpool.
Howe acknowledged the difficulties, stating: 'I'm not going to sit here and say this has been a brilliant transfer window for us... It’s a difficult situation with PSR and attracting the right players we think can make a difference. If we can’t do that, then doing nothing is perhaps the best option.'
Newcastle's summer additions were limited to Lewis Hall, Odysseas Vlachodimos, William Osula, Lloyd Kelly, and John Ruddy. Despite a decent start in the Premier League and Carabao Cup, performances have been underwhelming, increasing pressure on Howe and the club's Saudi Arabian ownership.
Shearer's comments reflect broader concerns that the lack of investment could hinder Newcastle's ambitions to return to European competition next season.
