The head coach was made aware of social media heat during the Press conference ahead of the clash against Brentford
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has responded to talk that he could step down as Toon boss this summer.
Howe has also commented on the theory - from some sections of fans on social media - that he has taken Newcastle as far as they can go under his leadership.
Radio shows and media chatter are growing that Howe will be a shoo-in for the England job if, as many expect, Thomas Tuchel leaves the Three Lions post after the World Cup in the States. Back on Tyneside, Howe has received public backing from CEO David Hopkinson, who dismissed suggestions he would be the next national team boss and stated he saw a manager who was 'devoted' to his cause.
Hopkinson also made a bold claim that Newcastle want to win the Premier League title by 2030. When asked about title talk and deadlines. Howe, who needs a win over Brentford this weekend, told Chronicle Live: "It is a difficult one for me to answer, timelines and estimations are very difficult to give as a manager because I don't know what is going to happen next week, let alone in four years' time.
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"So I think all I try to do is improve the players that I'm working with. I try to make them better players every day.
"Every transfer window, you hope can improve the squad. So you have the coaching aspects on the players you have and the players you recruit are so important.
"Then we see where that takes us. It is very difficult for me to give a response to timelines. I don't think that is right."
When asked where he saw the project under his guidance and whether it was at the mid-term, after five years in the job and at least two years of his contract to run, Howe said: "Who knows? I don't know my length of time here, I have no idea. I just try to do my best every day until I'm told different."
Responding to talk that he could step down and take the England job in the summer, Howe said: "That’s a surprise to me. I give my best to the football club every single day, to all the players and the staff.
"I try to be the best version of myself to inspire the team to win games. That’s my only thought. I don’t tend to look too far ahead but I try to prepare and plan for the club to move forward in every sense. My individual future isn’t really relevant."
Howe was also asked about the fans protesting about his management of the team and those who say he has taken the Magpies as far as they can go.
He added: "I am pleased I am not on social media if it is heated. My message is that we are fighting - and I think that you can see that on the pitch.
"The players are giving me everything. Every two, three, four days, to try to be successful.
"Wednesday was disappointing, we wanted to give it a really good fight and a really good effort to try to get to the final. Players were hugely motivated, but we conceded early in the game and it became very difficult.
"Credit to the players for the response in the second and the fact we were still going, trying to create chances in the game.
"Now we have to do it all again; there is no break for us. I can assure the players are maxed out physically and mentally, we see them behind the scenes, that is the same for the staff, we all want success.
"It doesn't go in a straight line, there are bumps in the road as there has been this season, it has been really challenging on all different fronts, we give our all to get a positive outcome."
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