Eddie Howe has given his reaction after Sandro Tonali discussed his Newcastle United future this past week.
Sandro Tonali made headlines in the wake of Newcastle United’s 2-0 Champions League win over Club Athletic by admitting he could leave St. James’ Park one day.
Asked about his future, Tonali said he was happy at Newcastle but stopped short of promising he would never depart the club, a viewpoint that fans completely understood.
“This is a tough question because you know the football is you can think you need to think year for year, because I think I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years, five years I will go,” the Italian said.
“So I want to think just for me, year for year. Because this is football and every summer, you know the last summer was tough for us for Alex [Isak], but this is football. If you have an option for your life for another team, you need to think about everything in football and I don’t want to say ‘yes I want to stay here 10 years’ but now I’m happy here.”
Now Eddie Howe has been asked about Tonali’s comments but the manager said he likes his honesty.
Sandro Tonali clasps hands with Eddie Howe.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Eddie Howe says Sandro Tonali is happy at Newcastle United
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Newcastle vs Brentford on Sunday, a game which Anthony Gordon is likely to miss, Howe said: “I’m always comfortable with honesty.
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“None of us can make massive statements about the future because football is so unpredictable.
“Sandro has been very honest but he is happy and enjoying his football.
“He loves it here in Newcastle and is happy in the team he is in and happy in the environment and it is our job to maintain that so he can carry on his positive start to the season.”
It emerged last month that Tonali’s contract actually runs until 2029, instead of 2028, as it was extended during his betting ban.