Howe’s position as Magpies head coach has been called into question in the wake of a damaging week that has seen the club relinquish their hold on the Carabao Cup and suffer back-to-back league defeats that have left them languishing in 12th position in the table ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Tottenham.
Boos rang around St James’ Park at both half-time and full-time as Howe’s side suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brentford at the weekend, with the Magpies boss conceding he could understand the fans’ frustrations.
However, speaking ahead of this week’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Howe has passionately defended his position and spelled out why he remains convinced he is the ideal person to turn things around.
“There’s no doubt in my mind about that, that’s why I’m sat here,” said the Newcastle boss, who has been at the helm for just under four-and-a-half years. “If there was, then I wouldn’t be because, as I’ve always said, the club is the most important thing.
“I’d never put myself in front of the club. If I didn’t think I was the correct man to take the club forward and I could give the players what they need, then I would step aside and let someone else do it.
“The club is always number one, and from my perspective, I’ve got to think that I’m the right person for the job and I’m giving value and helping the players. And, ultimately, that I’m the right person to get results.
READ MORE:
Newcastle United could be handed double fitness boost ahead of trip to Tottenham
Is Eddie Howe in danger of losing his job - and what will determine his fate?
“As long as I feel that in my heart and in my spirit, then my desire and my motivation levels are as high as they’ve ever been. I think that’s the key question I always have to ask myself – am I the right person to take the team and the club forward?
“It’s not something I judge every day, it’s a feeling that you have. As long as that feeling is there and remains inside of me, I’ll fight every day to the maximum that I can for success for the club.”
With Newcastle facing a huge battle to qualify for Europe again next season, Howe’s position as head coach is under more pressure than at any other time during his reign.
He retains the support of the key powerbrokers within St James’ Park, and a managerial change is certainly not imminent, but a section of the Newcastle support appears to have turned against their boss, with social-media chatter splitting fans into those who wholeheartedly back Howe and those who feel his time is up.
The Magpies boss has always insisted he does not pay any attention to outside noise, and has repeated his weekend assertion that any external pressure pales into insignificance when posited against the demands he makes of himself.
“I care so much about what I do,” he said. “I care so much about the club. The club for me is always number one. Not myself, not any of the players to a degree, it’s the club and what that stands for, and of course the players are a huge part of that.
“I will always act in the best interest of the club with every decision I make, whether that’s about me or any individual player. When you’re trying to act in that way and think of the bigger picture, the pressure that other individuals can put on you is irrelevant really.
“I have to live with my own thoughts of myself and what I’m delivering. I was very honest to say after the [Brentford] game that I need to do better, and I will do better, it’s part of the evolution and part of growing. These challenging moments are where you grow the most. I’m looking forward to trying to do that.”
Howe tried to turn the spotlight away from the players on Saturday evening as he took full responsibility for the disappointing run that has seen Newcastle win just one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
As the figurehead of the club, the 48-year-old acknowledges he has to step up in difficult moments, leading by example and inspiring his players to give their all. As a result, he takes pride in not shying away from the challenges he and his team are now facing.
“I think that’s where your qualities have to come to the fore because that’s when everyone is looking to you to set the tone,” he said. People want to follow, that’s human nature, so if you have strength as a leader at these moments, you can drag everybody with you.
“It’s the most important time to stand up and show your character and how much it means to you. That’s what we’re going to try to do, me and the staff. We’ve got a great group of players, a really honest group that really care, so I’ve got no issue on that side. We just need the quality in our performances to improve.”