As Newcastle United stepped up preparations for the new season in sweltering heat in Germany, manager Eddie Howe addressed the speculation about his future.
Howe continues to be linked to the England vacancy but, in an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle after taking training on Friday morning, he did not sound like a man who is looking for another job.
He talked of his “commitment” to the club, saying he had given “no thought” to anything else.
Those words should offer some reassurance to any Magpies supporters who are worried about him leaving.
However, there was another message he wanted to get across.
Howe said he needs to feel “happy and supported”, and that the “environment” at the club must be one where “I feel I can give my best”.
He does not normally get political – certainly not like Rafael Benitez would in the Mike Ashley era – but a summer change at St James’ Park has created some uncertainty and it did feel like a bit of a power play.
Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have been key allies of Howe but are selling their shareholding and leaving the club, so a different ownership structure is in place.
New relationships will also need to be formed with the recently appointed sporting director Paul Mitchell and performance director James Bunce. It is important they can work together.
And a frantic and perhaps unedifying end to last month saw two talented young players sold just before the accounting deadline to help the club comply with profit and sustainability regulations.
Howe signed a multi-year extension to his contract last summer and Newcastle want him to stay – hopefully for the long term.
Eddie Howe,Newcastle United,BBC Radio Newcastle,Rafael Benitez,sweltering heat
