Eddie Howe has called on Newcastle’s owners to end a sense of ‘limbo’ and show their ambition in 2026 by announcing stadium and training-ground plans.
The head coach admits he is unlikely to be in charge by the time those projects are finally delivered, but believes progress would be a signal of standards being set. It is now well over a year since then-chief executive Darren Eales said that news on those off-field developments was ‘imminent’.
But more than four years on from the Saudi-led takeover, a decision is yet to be made on whether to build a new stadium or redevelop St James’ Park, while the site for a state-of-the-art training complex is awaiting sign-off.
It had appeared to be all systems go for a new 65,000-capacity home on Leazes Park when a video of how it would look was presented to the owners in February. Since then, though, the Saudis have stalled on committing to the project.
Howe understands that the right decision has to be reached, but he is also mindful of the positive messaging and the boost such plans would provide for the club, whose training ground has been improved but remains among the least advanced in the Premier League.
Asked for ways to take the club forward in 2026, Howe said: ‘Fundamentally, looking at the club with a broader view, you look at the training ground and stadium - that part of the club is in limbo at the moment.
'In terms of which direction the club is going to take, that would be a big step forward to get clarity and to take everything into the future in a really positive way. It would have a game-changing effect on everything.
‘I am also talking about the academy in that, the brilliant work that goes on down there and if we can move everything forward in terms of facilities. Not that I believe facilities are the be all and end all, but they are a great way of setting standards higher and showing your ambition in a clear and strong way. That would be a game-changer when that happens. The ambition is there from everyone to make that happen.’
Howe added: ’But it has to be right. If there is extra time taken to make the right decisions, so the stadium project is correct and it’s the right one for Newcastle for how ever many years, then take the extra time.
‘It’s the same with the training ground. You need the right site and designs. I would rather it was correct than rushed. I know there’s a 99.9 per cent chance that I’m not going to see either in my position, but I’m still passionate about making sure it’s there for the future generations of Newcastle, whether that’s supporters or players. The board recognise how important that is too.
‘So I think the ambition and drive is there to do it and work is going on behind the scenes. There just needs to be a bit of patience to make sure it’s the right solution for everybody.’
