London (Reuters)
New Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said on Wednesday his first goal was to keep the club in the Premier League after a poor start to the season, adding that his team must “struggle” and “sacrifice” to survive.
Newcastle did not achieve any victory and occupies the penultimate position in the league standings with five points from 11 matches.
“I’ve had some good conversations with the owners but it’s all about the short term,” Howe, speaking for the first time since his succession to Steve Bruce on Monday, said. I will give my best for the club, I think we have the potential but it will take a lot of hard work and sacrifice.”
Bruce separated from the club by mutual consent last month, two weeks after a Saudi alliance backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund acquired the club.
Howe has not worked since his departure from Bournemouth in August 2020 following the club’s relegation from the Premier League in the final round of the season. The 43-year-old said his time away from the game revitalized him and made him a better coach and more connected with the modern game.
“I felt I needed to rest, revitalize and educate myself. I feel more organized now and the way I work is more streamlined.”
“I feel like I have a good idea of the team’s strengths and weaknesses. Any game is always about your commitment but if he watched my teams at Bournemouth he was always trying to attack and play brave football.”
The new coach will make his first game for Newcastle when they host Brentford in the league on November 20 after the international break.
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