There were no grand declarations of intent, a la Amanda Staveley five weeks ago. This, rather, was more a Howe To Guide To Survival.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe stopped short of labelling himself Red Adair, but he did take a hose to expectation.
The most revealing aspect of his unveiling at St James’ Park was not what has been discussed with the new Saudi-led ownership – but more so what has not.
New Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is on a survival mission with the club in the drop zone
The world’s richest owners they may be, but any talk of the Champions League has been shelved when the immediate concern is the Championship.
Asked if he had spoken to the Saudis about their vision for the future, Howe said: ‘No, I have spoken to Amanda. But we have not gone into details or been seeking assurances for two, three or four years’ time, because it’s not relevant at this moment.
‘There might come a time – I hope there does – when we have that conversation about the long-term vision, but it is not now.’
In the period between the completion of the £305million takeover and today, there has been a reality check on Tyneside, in large part due to the team slipping five points from safety.
The 43-year-old has taken over at Newcastle following Steve Bruce’s sacking last month (pictured: club director Amanda Staveley, right, and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, left)
Staveley and Howe were asked similar questions in terms of what would represent success. Last month, the co-owner spoke of winning the Premier League within 10 years and challenging Manchester City and Paris-Saint Germain on a global front.
Howe, his voice hoarse from two days on the training pitch, said: ‘Success now is staying in the Premier League. It’s not going to be a smooth road. I’m not coming here and underestimating what is in front of us. There is no magic wand. We have a big gap already to catch teams above us. Now, it’s all about the short-term.
‘But I am absolutely…
Source : dailymail
