MY ACCOUNT
Eddie Howe has clarified comments on Newcastle United’s “ceiling” after Jurgen Klopp congratulated the Magpies on their limitless outlook following last year’s Saudi-backed takeover.
Newcastle have made the most of their buyout by an ownership group including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the richest owner in world football.
No club spent more in the January window, before Newcastle shattered their transfer record with the £59million August signing of Alexander Isak, who netted on his Premier League debut against Klopp’s Liverpool.
So, when Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth last week spoke of the club having “no ceiling” – wording that was soon echoed by head coach Howe – it irked Klopp.
“I hear now at Newcastle they said, ‘there’s no ceiling for this club’,” the Liverpool manager said. “He’s absolutely right, there’s no ceiling for Newcastle. Congratulations; some other clubs have ceilings.”
Howe was asked about Klopp’s reaction ahead of Newcastle’s next match at home to Everton and felt the perception was unfair.
“I think it’s probably been used in the wrong way,” Howe explained. “I think what Dan meant with his comment was that there’s no ceiling to our ambition.
“Long term, the club have huge plans and huge ambitions. But at the moment, the reality of what we’re working towards and working with, there is a ceiling, because of all the things I’ve sat here and explained every week – Financial Fair Play, we’re still in a training ground that’s being renovated.
“We’re not living that life that’s being discussed. We’re living a very different reality.
“Our wage bill is very controlled, we’re trying to do things in a very stable and controlled way. Although we spent money on players, it’s not been extravagant or out of sync, I think, with the rest of the Premier League.
“I think everyone has to be careful with comments and opinions. That’s just my belief.”
Newcastle were initially linked with a host of big names in January, only to instead turn their attention to younger talents like Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Isak.
“It could have gone a totally different way,” Howe acknowledged. Although Newcastle are sixth, he added: “We’re a long, long way from where we want to be.”
Asked if he had been frustrated by the response to his and Ashworth’s comments, Howe replied: “I try not to spend too much time thinking about it. I’m just aware that one or two comments may not be totally accurate – that’s when I have to stand up for us.”
