Howe '100% committed' to Newcastle but 'I just need support'

Eddie Howe took charge of Newcastle United in November 2021 when they were in danger of being relegated [Getty Images] Head coach Eddie Howe says he is "100% committed" to Newcastle United but it is "very difficult" to look too far beyond the end of the season. Howe ended Newcastle's 70-year wait for silverware last season by guiding the club to the Carabao Cup, and also qualified for the Champions League, but his side are 12th in the Premier League. Newcastle's chief executive, David Hopkinson, said in March that he did not have a stance on Howe's future , before stressing the club were "not looking to make a change at the moment".

Speaking for the first time publicly since those comments, Howe says he has felt no need to seek assurances from above as he is "totally aligned" with Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson. "For me, nothing has changed," he said. "I'm absolutely 100% committed to the job.

That commitment has never wavered from my side. "I've been working during the break to make sure that we come back a stronger team. "I think, in this day and age, it's very difficult to look too far in the long-term.

I can only look to these seven games and make sure that we perform at our very best level. " Howe, who emphasised he has a "very good" relationship with those above him, has been across Newcastle's future plans, including pre-season schedules and transfer targets, depending on whether the club qualify for Europe or not. Despite the club's domestic challenges, sources have told BBC Sport that the board remain behind Howe.