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Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
How Newcastle went from Eddie Howe nearly quitting to best season in living memory
Newcastle United capped their stunning season by clinching Champions League qualification on Sunday despite a final-day 1-0 defeat to Everton at St. James' Park. Here, Telegraph Sport, dissects their historic campaign... Worst summer of Howe's career To understand how special Newcastle United's season has been, you have to remember how stressful last summer was. It is not hyperbole to argue Newcastle's campaign was on the brink of ruin before it had started. It began at a board meeting in the spring, when chief executive Darren Eales delivered a gloomy assessment of the club's financial position. Newcastle were more than £60 million over the limit imposed by the profitability and sustainability rules and needed to sell players before the end of June to avoid what would have been, given the size of the breach, a 10-point deduction. 'Our season would have been over before it had even started,' Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, said. Having inserted a £100 million release clause into the contract of Brazil international Bruno Guimarães, there were some who remained calm. It was assumed, given his impact and links to other clubs, that someone would activate the clause and all the fears would be eased. But as June approached, there were no bids for Bruno or, with 72 hours to go until the deadline, any of their players. Newcastle were in a state close to panic. Howe told members of his inner circle it was 'the most stressful and difficult summer' of his managerial career and something 'he never wanted to repeat'. Every player was up for sale. A deal to sell winger Anthony Gordon to Liverpool was discussed, but the Merseysiders declined to make a bid. Alexander Isak was briefly linked with Chelsea, but they were scared off by the asking price. In the final two days of the window, Newcastle somehow managed to avoid a breach, selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and the highly rated academy graduate Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest. Howe did not want to lose either, but had no choice. Co-owner Amanda Staveley, alongside Eales, somehow pulled them back from the brink. Staveley's input was crucial, getting Brighton to raise their offer for Minteh to £30 million at the last minute. A deal to sell Anderson to Forest for £35 million required Newcastle to take goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of a complicated swap deal that valued the Greece international at £20 million. He was not a player Howe wanted – he has played only once for the club, a substitute appearance in the third round of the Carabao Cup – but it was the only way to persuade Forest to pay for Anderson. Pre-season tension as Staveley departs The first Howe knew of the appointment of Paul Mitchell as sporting director was when he received a call from Eales 24 hours before the news was released to the media. Howe had not been consulted and felt bruised. Coming so soon after the departure of his key ally Staveley – forced out by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the club's majority owner, as she did not have the money to match her 10 per cent stake with further investment – Howe suddenly felt isolated, ignored and under-appreciated. The one-big-family ethos nurtured by 'mother hen' Staveley had vanished. Howe's relationship with Mitchell was strained. There was a lack of communication, the odd argument and plenty of tension. The two men barely spoke in the first few weeks as Mitchell looked to establish his authority. The control over recruitment that Howe had enjoyed previously appeared to have been taken away. Sources at the club told Telegraph Sport that things were, briefly, so bad, that Howe considered quitting. There had been no contact with PIF; no explanation as to why his power and influence was being curtailed. As revealed by Telegraph Sport at the time, storm clouds hovered when the players embarked on their pre-season training camp in Germany. When Howe spoke to national newspapers, from the Adidas HQ near Nuremberg, he did not hide his anger. Having been linked with the England job, he responded to questions about whether he wanted to replace Gareth Southgate by repeatedly stating he needed to feel appreciated and supported at Newcastle. He refused to commit to being their manager at the start of the season. He wanted decision-making to be collaborative and would not tolerate having players forced on him. It had the desired effect. Behind the scenes Eales, the club's co-owner Jamie Reuben and PIF representatives were alarmed. After some delicate diplomacy, Mitchell and Howe met in private. It is to the credit of both men that peace was made. Although Mitchell's clumsy comments in a round of newspaper interviews briefly inflamed tension a few weeks later – when he claimed the club's previous recruitment had not been 'fit for purpose' – the two men agreed to work together. Collaborative became the new buzzword. There have been no major issues since. Howe and Mitchell have built a good working relationship and, although that is bound to be tested again this summer, with Newcastle desperately needing to strengthen their squad to compete in the Champions League, there is confidence an equilibrium has been reached. Guehi saga ends in frustration Telegraph Sport revealed in July that Newcastle had made a bid for Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guéhi and were confident a deal could be agreed. After almost three weeks of a very public pursuit and persistent snubs by Palace, Newcastle walked away having refused to match the £65 million asking price. Having led the negotiations, it was a brave call by Mitchell, who had been adamant he would be able to get a deal done when he arrived. It was also the correct one. Had Newcastle paid that much for Guéhi, they would have faced the same PSR issue this summer as last year. But what it meant for Howe was sobering. For the second successive window, Newcastle failed to make a signing to improve the first team. Having gone into the summer knowing they needed to sign a centre-back and a right winger, they failed to land either. It left players and staff wondering about the direction of travel. Difficult start reaches nadir at Brentford It was left to Howe to pull everyone together. In August, he had a dressing room full of players who, to varying degrees, thought they could be leaving in the summer. The likes of Gordon, Kieran Trippier, Bruno and Isak had all been heavily linked with moves away. In turn, the lack of new signings meant the squad was in danger of going stale. The group was unhappy, the lack of new arrivals led to perceptions Newcastle were treading water. Their big names were starting to think about a life away from Tyneside for the first time. Newcastle started the season looking like a team who had lost their motivation and confidence. They were infuriatingly inconsistent and won only three of their first seven league games. The problems of the summer lingered as Howe initially struggled to refocus and motivate the group. Things hit a low against Brentford at the start of December. Newcastle were well beaten to make it four successive games without a win. They were 12th in the table and, for the first time, some began to question Howe's future at the club. But in the aftermath of that Brentford defeat, everything changed. Howe is not prone to angry outbursts, but he flipped after that game. On the way back to the North East, Howe warned his coaching staff that he had no choice but to unleash his anger. In the days that followed, Howe read the riot act to several of his big-name players. It was done in a controlled way, in one-on-one meetings, rather than in front of the group, but all were criticised and challenged to respond. They were told in no uncertain terms that they were Newcastle players and would remain so for the foreseeable future. Individual and collective standards had dropped. Nobody was spared as home truths were delivered. Howe encouraged the players to be responsible for their own shortcomings. A team meeting was held and, again, some harsh messages were delivered. The players knew they were letting themselves and the club down. The response was hugely impressive, a nine-game winning run that equalled a club record and moved Newcastle back into the Champions League chasing pack. Tonali's defensive switch Sandro Tonali had been Newcastle's marquee signing in the summer of 2023, but made a handful of appearances before a 10-month ban for breaking gambling rules during his time in Italy. When he returned to action at the end of August, Tonali looked rusty and was in and out of the starting XI. He did not look like the player Newcastle thought they had signed from AC Milan for £55 million. Howe, though, knew the talent he had and, as he fiddled with his tactics and system to try to offer a leaky defence more protection, he decided to try Tonali in a more defensive role, sitting deep and pushing Bruno further forward in his three-man midfield. A defeat at Chelsea at the end of October, when Newcastle's midfield had been overrun, prompted Howe to move to a more structured set-up in the middle of the pitch rather than the fluid, interchangeable one he had first imagined when Tonali joined. Given a run of games, Tonali regained his sharpness and match fitness and became a monster. Not only did he protect the defence, he became an alternative first receiver when the ball was passed out from the back. His speed and endurance made him a one-man wrecking ball and teams who had passed through Newcastle with ease in the first quarter of the campaign suddenly found him disrupting their game and intercepting possession. He also had the energy to get into the box. A complete midfielder, the 25-year-old gave Newcastle the solid foundation they needed to let their attacking players thrive and the goals began to flow. No player has been more transformative this season. Murphy's hidden magic You would have been hard pressed to find anyone associated with Newcastle who thought Jacob Murphy would be the solution to the problem on the right wing. The previous first choice for that position, Miguel Almirón, had almost been sold in the summer. The Paraguay international, who left in January, had lost his way and Murphy was already playing ahead of him. Signed by Rafael Benítez for £12 million in the summer of 2017, Murphy had not shown anything to suggest he was good enough to be first-choice right winger until this remarkable season. Howe and his coaching staff had always loved Murphy's character and commitment, and their hard work on the training ground reaped rewards. With ever-growing confidence, Murphy's connection with Isak has been a precious source of goals. At the age of 30, the former England Under-21 international has delivered the best season of his career when Newcastle needed it most. They had been looking for an upgrade on the right wing for two years, but had been unable to sign anyone due to PSR constraints. Murphy, though, has risen to the challenge, scoring nine goals and registering 14 assists. A natural right-footer, his delivery from the flank has changed the way the team attack. It is further proof that Howe has not relied solely on the transfer market to turn Newcastle into a major force. As with the likes of Fabian Schär, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and, before him, Almirón, Howe's real skill is in being able to draw ability out of players whom others could not have done. Shot at history in League Cup final When Howe had been interviewed for the job in November 2021, he said the first trophy he would aim to win was the League Cup. He came close in 2023, losing in the final to Manchester United when the occasion appeared to overwhelm the players. From the opening round, Howe delivered an internal presentation to his squad explaining why the League Cup would be a priority. Before the quarter-final victory over Brentford, Howe, borrowing from a journalist's question in a press conference, reminded his players how many Newcastle teams had tried and failed to win a domestic trophy for the club. The message was clear, win a trophy and you will achieve immortality on Tyneside. It was one that resonated and it is no accident that Newcastle's big players delivered their best performances in that competition, beating Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon, Chelsea, Brentford, Arsenal and, finally, Liverpool. They did it the hard way and proved they had arrived as major players domestically. The celebrations at Wembley, Dan Burn's goal, the second from Isak and the tears and jubilation at the final whistle were magical, as were the scenes in the city during a trophy parade and celebration on the Town Moor, attended by more than 300,000 people. Flexible tactical plan One of the laziest criticisms of a manager is they have no Plan B. Howe has always bristled at the suggestion, but his tactical acumen has been brought sharply into focus this season. Although Newcastle's preferred 4-3-3 formation remains the most frequently used, especially at home, Howe has played with both a three-man and a five-man defence this season, depending on the opposition. He has pushed centre-backs Burn and Schär into midfield when pressing the ball. He has deployed inverted full-backs in Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. He has instructed his side to try to dominate possession and he has shifted to let the opposition have more of the ball and play on the counter-attack. In certain games, he has even used a No 10 behind Isak, with Harvey Barnes popping up there against Arsenal last weekend. Had Callum Wilson's body not given up on him, Howe would have probably played with two central strikers this season, too. By being less predictable, his side have been far more dangerous. Dubai reset and Tindall's importance When Newcastle's players flew to Dubai during the March international break in the afterglow of their League Cup final win, it was telling that Howe remained at home with his family. He wanted to give those not on international duty a chance to celebrate and relax on the warm-weather 'training camp'. But as the trip drew to an end, Howe flew out to lead a team meeting to remind them that the fun was over. There was much work still to be done. Having secured their place in history, the rest of the season could have drifted, but he was determined not to let that happen. The players were challenged to secure Champions League football and were reminded that they were not going to be for sale in the summer. Anyone thinking about a move needed to dismiss the thought. After the cup final, Newcastle won six of the next nine games, the only defeats coming away to Aston Villa and Arsenal. It was during that time that Howe became seriously ill with pneumonia, spending five nights in hospital. In his absence, Jason Tindall, his long-term assistant and closest confidante, stepped up to lead the team and underlined his importance to the project. Newcastle thrashed Manchester United and Crystal Palace and the season was not derailed in Howe's absence, as it could so easily have been. Howe and Tindall are very much a team and have been since their early days at Brentford 21 years ago. Now they get a chance to pit their wits against Europe's finest in what promises to be a thrilling 2025-26 season.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pre-Academy squad participate in First-team Experience Day
Twelve Pre-Academy squad members were invited to the club's Training Centre in Benton ahead of joining the club's Under-9s Foundation Phase group next season and were warmly greeted by Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali upon arrival at the main reception. The Magpies youngsters then participated in a number of footballing activities with Guimarães and Tonali, including an entertaining game of Teqball against the midfield duo, before meeting the remainder of the first-team squad and head coach Eddie Howe. Advertisement Jamie Williams, Newcastle United's Head of Pre-Academy, told "It's always great to bring the pre-academy boys up to the first-team. It's a nice celebration for all of the hard work for the year they've had. "The way the manager, staff and players have welcomed us has been absolutely incredible. From Bruno and Sandro greeting the boys at the front door all the way through to getting the chance to get to play against them and all of the players in the indoor area was a real joy. "To see, first-hand, the training and being able to watch on was great along with the added surprise of Sky Sports. I don't think myself or the kids expected to be invited to do a live broadcast but it was nice for the players to have that experience of talking in front of the camera. "The gaffer is really invested and supportive of what we do, showing a key interest in all aspects of today and does throughout the season, always checking in and asking how they're doing. He's really keen to play a pivotal role in days like today because it's his environment and squad. Advertisement "I think his leadership is second and none and it shows in how involved he got, joining in with all of the games which was excellent to see." In awe of the likes of Dan Burn, Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff, who also spent their early days at Newcastle United's Academy, the youngsters also sat down for dinner with their following the conclusion of training and will be aiming to follow in the illustrious footsteps of their hometown heroes. "It's an opportunity to keep the dream alive," Williams said. "Of course, it's only at the start of their journey because they are so young but these kids dream about being footballers. They want to play the game they love so to see people who are making that a reality doing it day in, day-out is brilliant. "When they are local lads who've come through the Academy pathway, it's even stronger and to see the likes of Lewis (Miley) and Sean (Longstaff) as examples and to play for or against them today keeps that dream a little more achievable. Advertisement "We all know it is incredibly hard and it's not something we should focus on at this age but to dip their toe and have a feel of what it'll feel like will live with them forever." The young group are also set to be introduced on the pitch at half-time during United's final Premier League fixture of the 2024/25 season at home to Everton on Sunday, 25th May. Williams added: "It's an annual event to be presented in front of the crowd at half-time. Historically, we do it on the last game of the season so that brings an extra special feeling to it. For them to have the chance to walk out in front of 52,000 is a once in a lifetime opportunity and, hopefully for some, it'll be a regular one as they get older. "It's a chance to be really proud of their hard work and everything they've achieved up until now as they step into full academy contracts and being academy players. "They get their faces on the screen and get a big cheer with their names read out and is probably over in one minute but that one minute will be remembered for a lifetime."
Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Enzo Maresca tells Nicolas Jackson to ‘learn' after red card v Newcastle
If anyone ever asks just what it really means to play in the Champions League, then the answer was just about everywhere you looked at St James' Park as the full-time whistle neared against Chelsea. A day of rest? Hardly. End-of-season fatigue? Unlikely. Chelsea had fought for their lives with ten men, after the dismissal of Nicolas Jackson for serious foul play, but it was still not enough and when Bruno Guimarães sealed victory in the final minute, with a deflected second goal, emotions crackled throughout the stadium. In the stands the home fans celebrated with absolute delight. Newcastle United are nearly there. On the pitch and in the dugouts, however, there was chaos and fury. Fabian Schär, who was involved in a row with
News.com.au
11-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Nicolas Jackson's season ‘is finished' says Maresca after the Chelsea striker sees red in loss to Newcastle
Eddie Howe's men moved back into third place as a result with just two games remaining, leaving Chelsea, who will be without Jackson for the rest of their domestic campaign, looking over their shoulder. Tonali's second-minute strike and Bruno's deflected effort at the death secured a 2-0 victory at St James' Park on a day when the visitors had to cope with a numerical disadvantage for 55 minutes after striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off for elbowing Sven Botman.
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson must learn from red card, says Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca revealed he will not speak to Nicolas Jackson until some point on Monday after the striker's sending off at St James' Park on Sunday left Chelsea's hopes of Champions League qualification in the balance. Maresca's side were trailing 1-0 to Sandro Tonali's early goal for Newcastle when Jackson elbowed Sven Botman in the head and,after a VAR review, an initial yellow card was upgraded to red. 'No doubt, 100%, Nico has to learn,' said Chelsea's manager, who saw Eddie Howe's team reinforce their own hopes of a top-five finish. 'He will be suspended for the rest of the season now and he has to learn for the future. 'It's not the moment for me to speak to Nico. In the next day we'll speak to him. This season is finished for him and he's our No 9, our striker. We will need to find a different solution for the last two games. We have to avoid these kind of things because we need all our squad available.' Bruno Guimarães's late goal ultimately doubled Newcastle's advantage after Chelsea's 10 men had improved in a tactically intriguing second half. Even so, Marseca was left rueing Jackson's loss of control. 'For sure the red card affected the game,' he said. 'Against this team, in this stadium it's already complicated and if you give them one extra player it's difficult but overall I think, especially in the second half, we created big chances even with 10 players when it's not easy. If the referee decides a red card it's a red card but in some different decisions in this stadium sometimes it's the noise decides if it's a foul or not.' While Chelsea now face a home game with Manchester United followed by a potentially fascinating final fixture of the season at Nottingham Forest, Newcastle visit Arsenal next Sunday and entertain Everton on the season's final day. Howe was cautiously optimistic of a second qualification for the Champions League in three seasons. 'It's a massive win for us,' he said. 'It's put us in a stronger position but it's still very tight and we have to keep our focus. 'With nothing to lose in the second half, Chelsea played very well. You could see the quality and level of their players and we lost control of the game but we still managed to defend well enough to keep them out. The pressure on us was huge but credit to the players, who were magnificent, and the crowd.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Howe admitted he missed the injured Joelinton, Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock. 'We're slightly stretched now,' he said. 'I've made no attempt to hide the fact that the summer transfer window will be a big one for us.' Newcastle's manager agreed with the decision to dismiss Jackson. 'Initially my gut reaction was 'that's a sending-off' because I could see that Jackson wasn't looking at the ball, he was looking at the man and I think that always puts you in a vulnerable position, especially if you make contact with your elbow like he did,' he said. 'I've just seen it again and my opinion hasn't changed, I do think it's a red card.'
