Howe '100% committed' to Newcastle but 'I just need support'

Eddie Howe took charge of Newcastle United in November 2021 when they were in danger of being relegated [Getty Images]

Head coach Eddie Howe says he is "100% committed" to Newcastle United but it is "very difficult" to look too far beyond the end of the season.

Howe ended Newcastle's 70-year wait for silverware last season by guiding the club to the Carabao Cup, and also qualified for the Champions League, but his side are 12th in the Premier League.

Newcastle's chief executive, David Hopkinson, said in March that he did not have a stance on Howe's future, before stressing the club were "not looking to make a change at the moment".

Speaking for the first time publicly since those comments, Howe says he has felt no need to seek assurances from above as he is "totally aligned" with Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson.

"For me, nothing has changed," he said.

"I'm absolutely 100% committed to the job. That commitment has never wavered from my side.

"I've been working during the break to make sure that we come back a stronger team.

"I think, in this day and age, it's very difficult to look too far in the long-term. I can only look to these seven games and make sure that we perform at our very best level."

Howe, who emphasised he has a "very good" relationship with those above him, has been across Newcastle's future plans, including pre-season schedules and transfer targets, depending on whether the club qualify for Europe or not.

Despite the club's domestic challenges, sources have told BBC Sport that the board remain behind Howe.

'I just need support'

It is set to be another busy window for Newcastle, who may well sell at least one more key player if they miss out on the Champions League, having already sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer, in order to reinvest in the squad.

Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon are among those prized assets who have attracted interest.

Although Howe is focused on the run-in, he insisted he had "no issues" working with the conditions that the club set, as long those restrictions were made clear externally as he does not think "you can have expectations that warp reality".

Hopkinson stated in December that his vision was for Newcastle to be in the debate to be the number one club in the world by 2030.

"I just need support," Howe added. "Good working relationships with the people around me, a feeling of being able to express myself in the best way possible so you see the best version of myself.

"If I feel that and the club feels that, they are getting the best manager that they can from myself.

"Obviously, if that's not working, for whatever reason, on both sides, then it's what's best for the football club.

"The most important thing in all of this is Newcastle United. Not me, not anyone else, and I'll always reflect that in my decision-making. I'll put the club before anyone."

Newcastle resume their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on Sunday (14:00 BST).

Bruno Guimaraes will miss the trip to Selhurst Park after illness delayed his return from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since mid-February.

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