The head coach has spoken in-depth about what happened after his two-hour meeting with David Hopkinson
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has denied that there has been a "fall out" between himself and CEO David Hopkinson - despite some ominous comments from the Toon supremo during the international break.
Howe stated in his press conference that he has not sought or been given any assurances on his future. Hopkinson had said: "I don't have a stance on [Howe's] future.
"What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt. Eddie's our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season and we'll talk about the future when it's time."
Howe, speaking before Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace, said: "For me, nothing has changed. I'm 100% committed to the job. That commitment has never wavered from my side.
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"I've been working during the break to come back a stronger team. In this day and age it's difficult to look too far into the long term.
"I can only look at these seven games and make sure we perform at our very best level, and make sure the players are ready for these games.
"It's been an incredible season. We worked out that we haven't trained with 20 players since August. It's the first time we've gone back to big numbers in training and it's been a really refreshing couple of sessions. Let's try to finish the season well, that's what everyone wants to do."
Howe stated that there had been no "falling out" with Hopkinson but also told Chronicle Live that he had not spoken since the CEO's telling remarks.
Speaking more broadly on his relationship with the CEO and sporting director Howe said: "It is difficult to predict but I am right across everything for the summer and next season with Ross and David whether that is potentials during the transfer window, pre-season schedules and there are a lot of unknowns with Europe but we will be prepared as we can be."
When asked if his meeting with Hopkinson was a healthy one, Howe said: "Absolutely. It was all constructive.
"It was not necessarily a meeting about Sunderland. It was a planned meeting about the future and about making sure that we are aligned as a football club and we know what we need to do going ahead into the future to make sure we are successful long-term.
"As I told you, David, Ross - we're all aligned, we know it is not easy, and the conditions for us are going to be challenging ahead.
"But I think with smart planning and good work we can still be successful. There have certainly been no fallings out. I’ve got a very good relationship with Ross and David.
"We’re plotting to try and take the club forward in the smartest way possible. I’ve had really good support from both of them and they are the key figures I work with day to day at the club.
"We’re all totally aligned on what we need to do. The long-term prospects for the football club, I think, are really strong. But certainly these seasons we’ve experienced previously, we’re probably ahead (of schedule). Not all the forces are with us.
"We’re going to have to act really smart and try to out-perform the budget to hit the levels that everyone wants."
When asked what he needed to make things a success on Tyneside, Howe said: "What do I need? Just that, I need support. Good working relationships with the people around me.
"A feeling of being able to express myself in the best way possible so you see the best version of myself. If I feel that, and the club feels that, then they’re getting the best manager they can from myself.
"Obviously, if that’s not working for whatever reason, on both sides, then it’s best for the football club… which is the most important thing in all of this, that is Newcastle United, not me or anybody else, it’s Newcastle. I will always reflect that in my decision-making. I will put the club before anybody.
"When asked about the headlines and whether he had sought assurances, Howe said: "Absolutely not - I don't need assurances from anybody.
"I have got to do my work and I have to make sure the team is successful. No, we have spoken and had communication but not about those comments."
Newcastle now go into the encounter with Crystal Palace with the game having a "must win" tag attached to it if they are to be serious contenders for European football.
Howe said: "The break came at a good time for us on reflection, at the time we probably wanted to play as soon as we could, but it was probably good to have that detachment.
"Very quickly our focus goes to the last seven games. Let’s try and finish the season well, that’s what everyone wants us to do."
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