Newcastle's Eddie Howe Reflects on Transfer Window Challenges
Eddie Howe couldn't help but laugh.
When asked about his summer, the Newcastle United head coach initially considered giving a standard response but admitted, "It has been stressful..." This statement certainly underplays the situation.
Entering the transfer window without a CEO or sporting director was, according to Howe, "not ideal." CEO Darren Eales resigned last autumn due to serious health issues and has yet to be replaced, while Paul Mitchell announced his departure from the sporting director role in May.
During the transfer window, Newcastle has missed out on several key targets, including strikers Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, and Joao Pedro, as well as goalkeeper James Trafford.
Additionally, Howe is contending with the fact that striker Alexander Isak is determined to join Liverpool, following a rejected £110 million bid earlier this month. It's no surprise that Howe describes this period as particularly stressful.
Isak Situation 'Not Healthy' for Newcastle
Isak has been training apart from his teammates, and his absence has been noticeable. The Swedish striker has not only been a key player for Newcastle but was also well-liked in the dressing room.
Howe remarked, "I don’t think it’s been healthy for us. I don’t deny that’s been a big challenge. Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world—if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap."
The situation remains "ongoing," and Howe acknowledges that Newcastle will need to find a way to cope without Isak for their opening Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Howe has recognized a sense of "negativity around us" during the transfer window, which the team has worked to resist. With the atmosphere unsettled behind the scenes, he has emphasized the importance of unity among his players.
He stated, "I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. There was nothing I could do to affect that—it was always going to be there. When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it’s difficult for the players to fully understand it and know how to react. However, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance that this is the squad, and we have to make the best of the situation. That’s always been my train of thought. Whatever situation you’re in, you have to find a way, and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward, and I’ve got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks."
'Our Appetites are Whetted'
Before this week, Newcastle's only senior additions had been Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale. However, recent developments indicate progress, with Newcastle in advanced negotiations with Aston Villa to sign midfielder Jacob Ramsey and having already secured defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.
Howe expressed enthusiasm about Thiaw, stating, "I’m really excited by Malick. I think he is a great age. He’s full of potential, and the best of his career is yet to come. He’s an imposing character—6ft 4in, quick, athletic, and good on the ball. Those types of players are very rare to find. He’s a good character as well, so I’m very excited about what he can bring."
He added, "I like all our signings. Anthony will bring his unique mix of pace, speed, and creativity. Aaron is a real character. We have known him for a long time, but he’s a very good goalkeeper. I’m still hoping for more. I think we need more. We have some big gaps within the squad still."
With Callum Wilson having left the club after his contract expired, Howe acknowledged that the centre-forward position is a concern, stating, "We have been looking to replace Callum for some time. He was such a good servant for us, and of course, we have had issues with Alex’s situation this year, so that position is definitely a cause for concern."
Newcastle remains interested in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, and Anthony Gordon is likely to lead the line against Aston Villa. Starting the season with a winger up front was never part of the plan, but Howe's determination is evident as Newcastle aims to build on their Champions League qualification and end their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
Howe reflected on the feeling of winning, saying, "When you experience that, you think it’s going to be great, but let me tell you, the experience is even better than I thought it would be. It does make you hungrier for more. It makes you appreciate the role you’re doing and the ability to affect the people around Newcastle in the way we did. Our appetites are whetted. We’re desperate for more success, but we know how difficult it is, and we know the challenge that awaits us with every team in the Premier League getting better and stronger. We’re going to have to do the same."
Howe Driven by His Mother's Memory
Months have passed since Newcastle's Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool. After the match, an emotional Howe reflected on "the people that aren’t with you," including his late mother, Anne, who raised him and his siblings as a single parent while encouraging them to pursue their dreams.
"She’s still with me every day," he noted. "It’s a difficult one because you’re not consciously thinking about her on a minute-by-minute basis or even a day-by-day basis to a degree. But I know that her spirit, her courage, and her determination are with me in so many different ways in how I act and behave. I know she’s willing me on from somewhere, and very proud. I just hope to do her justice in the way that I work. I feel I have a duty to protect her legacy by how I conduct myself in what I do. I’m very driven for more success. I’m very determined to do my best, which is all I can do, and hopefully, that will be good enough."
Howe is also focused on making his family proud, as they have relocated with him from the south coast. His wife, Vicki, and their sons, Harry, Rocky, and Theo, have embraced life on Tyneside. Howe shared a humorous moment, saying, "I asked my youngest to do something yesterday, and his answer was: ‘Howay dad!’ I always have a little second glance and check their language. It’s brilliant that they’re fully immersed in the Newcastle way of life, the language, and the way of thinking. It’s such a great area with positive, driven, and motivated people. I’m very proud that they are going to be adopted Geordies."
Howe acknowledged that his family is one of the few who see his "down days" and described them as "very supportive." He added, "They know when to leave dad alone just for a few minutes and let him digest what has just happened."