Amid speculation linking him to Manchester United’s struggling dugout, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has delivered a firm response, declaring his full commitment to the Magpies and their long-term project.
Eddie Howe has moved swiftly to dismiss speculation linking him with the Manchester United job, reiterating his loyalty to Newcastle United and underlining his belief in the club’s ongoing project.
The rumours gained traction after ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch suggested Howe could be an ideal candidate to replace Ruben Amorim, who is under growing pressure following United’s disastrous start to the season. But speaking ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Nottingham Forest, Howe made his position crystal clear: he isn’t going anywhere.
Howe’s defiant stance
“I’m all in [at Newcastle],” Howe told reporters. “My commitment here is 100 per cent and always has been. My family is still here, and we are fighting every day to make a success of what we are doing. The season ahead could be a wonderful thing, and that is what we are trying to focus on.
“It’s never gone away, for me, the fragility of the profession that I’m in. Partly, I think that’s healthy because it drives me to work as hard as I do. You take your eye off the ball for a second, you get lazy or used to the same habits, that’s not going to bring results. You’ve got to continually push boundaries and get better, and that takes a lot of energy and thought. For me, that’s what propels me forward.”
Why the Man Utd links surfaced
Manchester United currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, one place above Newcastle, having suffered a poor run under Amorim. The Portuguese manager is struggling to implement his preferred 3-4-3 system, and results have been inconsistent — including a humbling 3-1 defeat at Brentford and a shock Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town. While Amorim retains board support for now, his long-term future is uncertain.
Crouch’s comments helped fuel speculation, but Howe’s comments put an immediate dampener on any notion of him leaving St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s positive outlook
Despite their own inconsistent start, Newcastle received a timely lift in midweek with a commanding 4-0 away win at Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League. Record signing Nick Woltemade produced a standout display, while Anthony Elanga has begun to find form on the wing.
Off the pitch, the club remains on solid footing. A 28 per cent revenue increase for the year ending June 2024 — driven by Champions League qualification and strengthened commercial partnerships — has provided a firm financial foundation for future growth.
With Howe reaffirming his commitment, Newcastle can continue focusing on building for the future, while Manchester United face an increasingly uncertain managerial situation.
