Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered a firm and unequivocal response to speculation linking him with the managerial vacancy at Manchester United, stating his commitment to the Magpies remains '100 per cent'.
Howe Addresses United Speculation Head-On
The 48-year-old's name was prominently discussed as a potential successor to the sacked Ruben Amorim by Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt on their podcast, The Good, the Bad and the Football. This came just days after Howe was also briefly mentioned in connection with the Chelsea job following Enzo Maresca's departure.
Howe, however, was swift to shut down the rumours, mirroring his response last year when linked with the England national team post-Gareth Southgate. 'Yes, absolutely. Nothing has changed from my perspective,' Howe declared when asked if he was fully committed to Newcastle.
He elaborated: 'I'm 100 per cent here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff that you guys write good or bad because it's irrelevant.' The Newcastle boss emphasised that his sole focus is on preparing his team for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Leeds United.
Happiness and Support Key to St James' Park Future
Howe, now in his fifth season at St James' Park, signed a long-term contract extension in the summer of 2022. He led the club to its first major domestic trophy in 70 years last season. The manager has previously stated his desire to stay at Newcastle as long as he feels 'happy' and 'supported' – a comment once viewed as a reference to past tensions with former sporting director Paul Mitchell.
Reiterating that point, Howe explained what keeps him on Tyneside: 'The most important thing for me is happiness in the role, happiness in the job, the relationships I have with the people around me.' He acknowledged that dynamics can change at any club but affirmed, 'at the moment, I am very happy.'
When directly questioned if anything could tempt him away from Newcastle currently, his reply was a simple: 'No, not at this current time.'
Ignoring the Noise Amid Fan Pressure
Howe's steadfast commitment comes during a period of inconsistent form that has seen some disgruntlement from sections of the Newcastle support. He admitted he actively ignores external noise, much like that which ultimately surrounded Amorim at Manchester United and Wilfried Nancy at Celtic.
'My method is to bunker myself away from it and to ignore it and make sure my brain is not contaminated by stuff that is absolutely irrelevant to me,' Howe stated. He stressed that focusing on politics and media speculation 'won't help me, or the team, or the players.'
His immediate priority is Wednesday night's Premier League clash with Leeds, as he looks to steer Newcastle back to winning ways and solidify his long-term project at the club, seemingly irrespective of interest from one of the world's biggest football institutions.
