Newcastle United and their head coach Eddie Howe gave themselves a real boost on Saturday with victory over Leeds at Elland Road, but the job of staying in the Premier League is far from realised.
And now that the players and Howe are stepping up, the club’s new owners need to match them and give them full backing.
The richest club in the world were tipped to make a big impact in their first transfer window and it was clear they had ideas of being Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, and that still may come to pass.
However, right now they should probably be looking at the Leeds United model instead.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe during Saturday’s clash against Leeds United. | PHOTO: George Wood/GettyImages |
With just over a week left in the transfer window, Newcastle has managed to broker just one deal for manager Howe, himself appointed in November with the promise of investment after the sacking of Steve Bruce.
They landed Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid, a deal many – quite rightly – have applauded for getting over the line.
A deal for striker Chris Wood was also finalised but that was a release clause being triggered, so no negotiating was required.
Howe has been and remains desperate for more players and it is clear he believed he would have more options available to him by this point in January.
When taking charge of the club, Newcastle’s new owners – the Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben Brothers – admitted they need to correct things after the Mike Ashley years.
Eddie Howe was appointed Newcastle manager in November after the sacking of Steve Bruce by the new owners. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
The new regime used former chief Lee Charnley to interview Howe and appoint him as Steve Bruce’s successor, but then they let him go.
However, they have yet to replace him, instead using Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi – who is a partner at PCP.
They are managing the club on a day-to-day basis, and it is showing their lack of football knowledge and management harming their ambitions.
A new director of football was high on their wanted list but thus far they have not managed to move forward with one – instead of bringing in a temporary advisor in Nick Hammond, and other footballing figures.
But it is not working and it is clear to see why. It need not be this way – just look at Saturday’s opponents Leeds. Yes, Newcastle got the better of them on the pitch – but off it they need to take a close look.
After a dismal spell under Massimo Cellino – a hugely unpopular figure who you could liken to Ashley – the club was bought by Andrea Radrizzani.
Radrizzani is as powerful a figurehead, probably more so than anyone at Newcastle – but did he try and do it himself? he did not attempt to broker transfer deals and also failed to pick targets for the club.
Instead, the Italian went out and made quick and appropriate appointments with Victor Orta arriving as director of football, Ivan Bravo coming in as director of strategy and Angus Kinnear appointed chief executive.
Now, Newcastle has to act while there is still time left in the window because while they took the three points at Leeds with this squad, they will need more to stay up.
The players are clearly behind Howe, as they showed at Elland Road, and now the others at the club have to stand up and back their boss too for a better future at St James’ Park.
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