Eddie Howe takes aim at Premier League spending rules after Newcastle’s frustrating window

Manager admits financial constrictions have slowed club’s progress and warns that he could be gone before Saudi owners realise ambitions

Eddie Howe has expressed his frustration at Newcastle’s failure to land a big signing and blamed the Premier League for stifling the club’s ambition under their Saudi Arabian owners.
Newcastle called off their pursuit of £70 million Marc Guéhi on Thursday morning and Howe, who warned he might not be around long enough to see the growth of the club, said Newcastle had not had the transfer window they wanted.
“Without going into the individual situation here, we’ve tried to sign several players,” Howe said, in what turned into his most difficult press conference since he arrived at St James’ Park in November 2021.
“It’s never been about one player. It can never be about one player, because as soon as you’re in that position, then your negotiation strength is over.
“So, no, we’ve tried for several targets, but it still has to be the right player. And there isn’t an unlimited number of players. It’s not like you can [say], ‘well, we’ll just go on to the next one, the next one, the next one’.
“Because then the quality dilutes and you have to question whether you’re doing the right thing for the long-term future of the club.
“There isn’t a bottomless pit of money. We’re not able to spend that way. Everything that we do has a long-term consequence [because of financial rules]. So you’ve got to be very sure whatever you do is right for the long-term future and short-term future of the club.”
There was also a small hint at the uncertainty Howe feels he is under as a result of profitability and sustainability rules.
“A lot has changed in terms of PSR,” he said. “The biggest change: the inability to spend, and our need to comply with rules to prevent a points deduction.
“Of course, that impacts the ability to progress the club as quickly as maybe they [the Saudi owners] wanted to. I don’t think the dream dies, necessarily, it takes a lot longer.
“We have got to build our revenue streams, that is the biggest thing. Bring more money into the club. That is the big thing we need to focus on in the next 10 years, whether I am lucky enough to see any of that, who knows. So the dream is not over. It is just going to take a lot longer.
“I’m enjoying my work. I am happy. It is a challenging period, no doubt about that. We haven’t had the window that we wanted. But my job is to continue to give my best for the players we have.
“The relationships I have with people here are fine. We’re working well, there are no issues there. Turning that into transfers… I’ve said all summer that I’m not involved in negotiations for players, that is separate to me.”
Howe did not blame anyone for the failure to land their targets, but did not sugarcoat things either.
Asked if the club had failed for the first time since the takeover back in 2021, he replied: “I’m not going to sit here and say it’s been a brilliant transfer window for us. Everyone will look at me and think I’m not sure he’s telling the truth there.
“But it’s not been through the want of trying from anybody’s perspective. We could easily be sitting here with four or five signings, but if they’re all the wrong players, that doesn’t do anyone any favours.”
There was also some defiance. Newcastle have kept all their best players when that seemed unlikely at the end of last season and when it was pointed out that seasons are not won or lost in the transfer window, Howe warmed to the theme.
“That’s important to remember,” he said. “Because the games are won on the pitch.
“The transfer window is [there] to give you a better chance, percentage-wise, of success by bringing in better players. But the most important people we have at this club are in the dressing room now, about to prepare to train.
“It’s about the players you have, making sure they’re in the right mental and physical condition to play and give their best, everyone at their absolute peak.
“We’ve got a really good squad. I don’t think everyone is at their absolute peak at the moment and our job is to try and get them there and to get some of our injured players back fit as quickly as possible.
“We’ve still got the legacy of the long-term injuries from last year, so we are in a position, if we can’t start the season well now, we are only going to get stronger throughout the season.”