Eddie Howe vows to 'step aside' as Newcastle United boss - on one condition
Eddie Howe faced questions on his Newcastle United future.
Eddie Howe has no doubts that he is the right man to take Newcastle United forward and has vowed to step aside if that were ever the case.
During his four-and-a-half-years as head coach, Howe has ended the Magpies’ 56-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup last year and twice secured Champions League qualification.
But Howe is going through what he accepts is his toughest spell as boss.
The Magpies are struggling in the Premier League this campaign after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Brentford left them 12th in the table, 10 points below the top five and the same number of points above the relegation zone with 13 matches remaining.
As a result, Howe has come under increased pressure as he and his team were booed at half-time and full-time at St James’ Park at the weekend.
Eddie Howe answers question on his Newcastle United future
When asked if he was determined as he was when he first walked through the door in November 2021, Howe said: “Yes, I think I am. I think the club's always number one, as I said, and I think you've got to, from my perspective, I've got to think that I am the right person for the job and I'm giving value and I'm helping the players and I'm the right person to get results ultimately.
“So as long as I feel that in my heart and in my spirit, then my desire and my motivation levels are as high as they've ever been. But I think that's the key question I always have to ask myself ‘am I the right person to take the team and the club forward?’
“It's not something I judge every day. It's a feeling that you have. And as long as that feeling is there and remains inside of me, I'll fight every day to the maximum that I can for success for the club.”
Howe added: “I will always act in the best interest of the club with every decision that I make, whether that's about me or about any individual player.
“I think when you're trying to act in that way and you're trying to think of the bigger picture, the pressure that individuals or other people can put on you, it's irrelevant really. I have to live with my own thoughts of myself and what I'm delivering.
“And I'm very honest to say that after the game that I need to do better and I will do better. It's part of the evolution, it's part of growing. And these challenging moments are where you grow the most. So I'm looking forward to trying to do that.”
Eddie Howe on whether he is the right man to take Newcastle United forward
NewcastleWorld then asked Howe if he had any doubts over being the man to continue to take the club forward, to which he gave an powerful; response.
Howe replied: “No, there's no doubt in my mind and that's why I'm sat here.
“If there was, then I wouldn't be because, as I said, the club's the most important thing. I'd never put myself before the club if I didn't think I was the correct man to take the team forward and I could give the players what they need, then I would step aside and let someone else do it.”