Eddie Howe insists Newcastle owners’ ambition remains unchanged
Theo Al Jazeera English
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has reassured fans that the club’s Saudi owners remain fully committed to success, despite PIF’s plan to end funding for LIV Golf. Howe stressed the ambition to win the Premier League and trophies has not changed, though the team is currently struggling in 14th place.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has insisted that the club’s Saudi Arabian owners remain fully committed to success, even as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) prepares to cut ties with the LIV Golf league.
PIF, which has spent more than $5 billion on LIV Golf since its launch in 2022, announced on Thursday that it would stop funding the breakaway league at the end of the 2026 season, prompting LIV to seek new investors. The fund, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is also involved in many other sports and bought Newcastle in October 2021.
When asked about his meeting with PIF this week, Howe told reporters on Friday: "The owners and PIF representatives were present, and those were constructive and good meetings. I am just a small part of that."
"The meeting was always constructive because obviously they are very interested in the football club," the English manager added ahead of Saturday's home match against Brighton & Hove Albion. "Long-term planning is underway at many levels. It is an exciting time ahead for the club, regardless of what happens in the short term..."
"The ambition has not changed: it is to try to reach the top of the Premier League, win as many trophies as possible in a sustainable way. I don't think, while PIF is the owner, or a part-owner, majority-owner, that will change."
In its statement about ending LIV Golf funding, PIF stressed it remains committed to deploying international capital in line with its investment strategy, "including current and future investments across various sports as a priority sector."
Newcastle has enjoyed some success in its first few seasons under Saudi ownership, qualifying for the Champions League twice and winning the League Cup last year. However, the team has struggled this season, sitting 14th in the Premier League table after four consecutive defeats, leading to questions about Howe’s future at the club.
"I have never needed clarity in my head, in the sense that I am here, I am working, and I am committed," he said. "A football club has to do what a football club has to do. The club needs to see that we are on the right path and have a positive feeling and fight on all fronts."
"You can talk as much as you want, but the proof is in how the team performs. I am under no illusions that it has to be positive."
