Newcastle leaving St James' Park 'feels like betrayal' for manager Eddie Howe
Newcastle are weighing up whether to redevelop St James' Park or build a new stadium as they look to compete with European football's elite in the long-term.
Newcastle boss Edde Howe has admitted it would feel like a betrayal to leave St James Park (Mike Egerton/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Eddie Howe has opened up about his trepidation about Newcastle potentially leaving St James' Park, likening the prospect of a stadium switch to a "betrayal".
The Magpies have set their sights on competing with the best in European football. The Saudi-backed ownership of the club has plans underway, with a verdict due early next year following a commissioned study into whether it's best to revamp their current ground or embark on building a new stadium.
Howe, who took the reins at Newcastle in 2021, has developed a deep attachment to the iconic venue - something that has only grown during his tenure - even though he understands the necessity for revenue generation to realise their ambitious goals.
In the run-up to this Saturday's Premier League clash against Everton, themselves on the verge of moving to a fresh stadium, Howe confessed: "My natural instinct was always to stay at St James' Park.
"It's an incredible place to play football, it's our home, so to think about moving somewhere else feels a little bit of a betrayal to somewhere that's served us so well."
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"But we are well aware that as a football club, we need to increase our revenue, so people with more brain cells will make the decision for the benefit of the long-term future of the football club, and that's always the most important thing.
"I could be swayed, but just my natural instinct is to want to stay."
As the Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and partners the Reuben Brothers gear up to celebrate their three-year anniversary at the helm next week, the football world is reminded of Amanda Staveley's grand declarations that the club would clinch a trophy within five years and compete for major honours.
Howe, who will be missing the services of injured forward Alexander Isak yet again this weekend, responded with a grin to queries about whether those early assertions were overambitious: "Five years does seem short, especially in my shoes."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe celebrates with his layers after a 4-1 Champions League victory over Paris St Germain at St James Park (Owen Humphreys/PA) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
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Howe remarked further: "At the time, I don't think the statements were rash. There was a feeling the club at that stage really could invest what it wanted.
"There is no guarantee that even with that investment you will win things, we all know that. But it gives you a much better chance.
"Since then, there has been a real tightening of the rules, so it is unfair to judge them by those comments with the changing of the rules.
"Now it has become, I wouldn't say impossible, but it has become very, very difficult to achieve what they initially thought they could achieve through no fault of their own."
