Eddie Howe has pledged his unwavering loyalty to Newcastle United following speculation linking him with the Manchester United hot seat should Ruben Amorim depart Old Trafford. The latter has endured a torrid Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town this campaign and has found it difficult to gain momentum following a disappointing previous season.
Howe, who was touted for the England position last summer, has emphasised his long-standing deal at St James’ Park and remains wholly dedicated to his responsibilities at the club. When questioned about the Manchester United speculation, Howe delivered a reassuring response for Newcastle supporters.
Speaking during his pre-match press briefing ahead of Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest, Howe insisted: “I’m all in [at Newcastle]. My commitment is 100 per cent here 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, trying to make a success of the games we have coming up.”
Despite enduring some difficult results this campaign, Howe and his squad have departed to rapturous applause from supporters.
Howe stated: “It is never lost on me, the response to disappointing results is fundamentally important, not just to me but to the players.
“For me, as much as defeats pain me, it is the worst a manager can feel to be honest. You want to thank everybody who has come to support us then put the defeat into context.
“All I ever ask is the supporters give the players every ounce while the game is going on. Then after the game it is my feeling that the supporters are free to express themselves how they wish.
“If that is in a positive way that is so gratefully received, because it keeps us together and keeps the feeling for the players the next week.
“It leaves them free to think about football and no distractions, so it is gratefully received, appreciated and never taken for granted because I know we are in a results business.”
Howe added: “It’s never gone away, for me, the fragility of the profession that I’m in. Partly, I think that’s healthy for me, though, because it drives me to work as hard as I do, because I want to stay in the job that I’m doing, and I want to be successful at it.
“You know I’m a believer, and I was the same in my playing career, you take your eye off the ball for a second, you get lazy, or you get used to the same habits, that’s not going to work, that’s not going to bring you results.
“You’ve got to continually think and push boundaries and get better, and to do that takes a lot of energy and a look of thought, which drives the people around me mad, I’m sure, but for me, that’s part of what drives me and propels me forward.”
