Eddie Howe says he is 'very happy' at Newcastle amid Manchester United speculation

Howe dismisses talk of a move

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has said he is “very happy” at the club, dismissing speculation that linked him with the Manchester United job. Howe was asked whether anything could tempt him away from St James’ Park after Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on Monday.

Howe’s response was clear. “No. Not at this current time,” he said, adding that his priority is the day-to-day satisfaction he gets from the role and the working relationships around him.

“The most important thing for me is happiness in the role, happiness in the job, the relationships that I have with the people around me,” Howe said. “That has not always been consistently good. Things can change at any football club, but I’m very happy at the moment.”

Stability in a demanding job

Howe has been in charge at Newcastle since November 2021, making him one of the longest-serving managers currently leading a Premier League club. Only Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Fulham head coach Marco Silva have been in charge of a Premier League team for longer than Howe during that period.

In an environment where managerial changes can happen quickly, Howe’s comments underline the importance he places on continuity and a positive working culture. He indicated that contentment in his role is tied to being able to do his job in the way he believes is best.

Howe said he remains content at Newcastle as long as he can “express myself in the best way possible and be the best version of myself”.

Working relationships behind the scenes

Howe’s time at Newcastle has included changes in the club’s leadership structure, particularly in roles that work closely with the head coach. He has worked with multiple sporting directors since taking charge, and there have been periods where those relationships were not straightforward.

There were tensions between Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell, who left last summer after less than a year in the job. Since then, Howe has quickly developed an understanding with Ross Wilson, who replaced Mitchell.

Wilson is the third sporting director Howe has worked with since arriving at Newcastle. The club has also seen change at executive level, with David Hopkinson becoming the second chief executive during Howe’s tenure after Darren Eales stood down because of ill health.

These shifts can often create uncertainty around a head coach, but Howe’s comments suggest he feels settled in the current structure and optimistic about the working relationships he has in place.

Backing from the ownership and board

Howe also spoke about the importance of alignment throughout the club. He continues to enjoy the backing of Newcastle’s majority owners, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, as well as minority shareholder Jamie Reuben.

“For any club to be successful, there has to be unity from top to bottom,” Howe said. “There has to be a good feeling between everyone.”

He added that his relationship with the board has remained strong. “I’ve had an unbelievable relationship with the board. That’s never changed,” Howe said.

Howe described himself as fortunate to have time to build those connections, noting that many managers do not get the opportunity to establish trust over an extended period. “I consider myself very lucky to have that because there are very few managers that have the time to build those relationships,” he said. “To have the confidence and trust within each other is really important. Hopefully that stays for a long time.”

On-field context: league position and cup progress

Howe’s comments come with Newcastle still competing on multiple fronts. The club is ninth in the Premier League, but only two points off fifth, leaving the table tightly packed around the European qualification places.

Newcastle have also reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and are on course for a last-16 play-off spot in the Champions League.

Howe’s tenure has already included a major milestone. Newcastle ended the club’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy after winning the Carabao Cup last season, a moment that reinforced his standing at the club and among supporters.

What Howe’s comments indicate

While speculation is a constant feature of football management, Howe’s remarks focused less on outside interest and more on the internal factors he believes shape success and personal satisfaction. His emphasis on happiness, relationships, and unity from “top to bottom” reflects a broader message: for him, the conditions at Newcastle currently provide the environment he wants.

At the same time, Howe acknowledged that football can change quickly. By noting that things have “not always been consistently good” and can shift at any club, he pointed to the reality that stability is never guaranteed. Even so, his position was that, right now, he is settled and not looking to leave.

• Howe said he is “very happy” at Newcastle and dismissed the idea of moving at this time.
• He has been in charge since November 2021 and is among the longest-serving current Premier League managers.
• He has developed an understanding with sporting director Ross Wilson after changes behind the scenes.
• Howe said he has continued backing from the club’s owners and described his relationship with the board as “unbelievable”.
• Newcastle are ninth in the league, two points off fifth, in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and on course for a Champions League last-16 play-off spot.