Eddie Howe has given a defiant stance on his future and feelings as Newcastle United head coach.
Eddie Howe has admitted he is facing the toughest spell of his four-and-a-half-year tenure as Newcastle United head coach right now.
The Magpies currently sit 10 points off fifth place - the position they finished last season - and 10 points above the relegation zone.
Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Brentford at St James’ Park saw Newcastle booed off the pitch.
“Yeah, I think so,” Howe said when asked if it was his toughest spell as Newcastle boss. “I think any time when you're not getting the results that you want. I don't think performances have been particularly bad.
“Statistically, we're still pretty strong in every game, but the results certainly haven't matched that. So it's been a difficult run of games. It continues to be a difficult run of games for us.
“And that's where we all need to show our strength of character and our resolve and our resilience and our feeling that how important this is to us. And that needs to show most importantly on the pitch.”
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Eddie Howe ‘determined’ stance as NUFC boss
Howe went on to stress his determination to succeed at Newcastle and put the priorities of the club first.
“The club is always number one,” he said. “From my perspective, I've got to think that I am the right person for the job and I'm giving value and I'm helping the players and I'm the right person to get results ultimately.
“So 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.
“But I think that's the key question I always have to ask myself, you know, am I the right person to take the team and the club forward?”
Later in the press conference, Howe was if he does have any doubts that he is the right person to take the club forward.
“No, there's no doubt in my mind,” he responded. “That's why I'm sat here. If there was, then I wouldn't be, because as I said, the club's the most important thing.
“So I'd never put myself before the club if I didn't think I was the correct man to take the team forward and I could give the players what they need, then I would step aside and let someone else do it.”
Eddie Howe’s future at NUFC
Howe has recently been given a vote of confidence from the club’s hierarchy. Chief executive officer David Hopkinson told talkSPORT that Howe is the man to help realise the club’s vision of being one of the best in the world by 2030.
After Carabao Cup success and Champions League qualification last season, it is understood that Howe won’t be dismissed from his role as Newcastle head coach any time soon.
But the Magpies boss hasn’t ruled out walking away from the club if he feels he is no longer the right man for the job, as has been reported elsewhere.
When asked if he could resign in the summer, Howe wouldn’t confirm or deny the suggestion.
“That’s a surprise to me,” he said. “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.”
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