Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is normally known as a pretty level-headed, likeable manager.
He’s sociable and comes off as a decent person who has taken some criticism for ‘spoiling’ his reputation by associating himself with the Saudi-Arabia-backed club.
The Englishman, to his credit, has done a great job with the Magpies.
With the help of some important signings, including that of the brilliant Bruno Guimaraes, he’s helped take Newcastle from relegation battlers to fighting for a European spot this season.
Indeed, the Magpies have only lost 1 out of 10 Premier league games this season and are in 6th place in the table, two points behind fourth-place Chelsea.
Despite his likeable personality, Howe seems to have rubbed some wrong feathers with his recent comments.
The Newcastle gaffer was not happy with Jurgen Klopp’s recent comments where he hinted that state-owned clubs like Newcastle have the ability to outspend most of the other major European giants.
Howe insisted that his side are respective the financial fair-play rules and that there is a ceiling to how much they’re going to sleep, stating ‘We’re trying to do things in a very stable and controlled way.’
This seems to have ruffled the feathers of some individuals.
Not just the fans, but some pundits also seem to have taken offence to it. Some journalists have pointed out the sheer irony of a manager involved in a sports-washing project taking a dig at other individuals.
Acclaimed journalist, Philippe Auclair, has absolutely torn into the Newcastle manager for what he said about Klopp. He produced an unbelievable rant on OTB Sports’ ‘The Football Show’ in which he absolutely lambasted the English manager.
Here is what Auclair said: “His utterances were totally unacceptable [and] demonstrably false. He also had the cheek to say that Newcastle United’s spending over the last year was in sync with the rest of the Premier League. Newcastle United have spent £240 million net in a single calendar year. Which is more than anyone else. He has the cheek to say that.
“He is the servant of a dictatorship. Whether he likes it or not, whether he realizes it or not, he is a man who is put in front of the cameras…supporting a project which is driven by a dictatorship. And a murderous dictatorship.
“[Howe is] not responsible directly for what the Saudi Arabian regime is doing. I’m not saying that. What I’m saying is at least show a little bit of reserve.
“I don’t think it would be a problem if Eddie Howe went in front of the cameras and said ‘We’ve got loads of money, we’re spending it how we see fit in respect of FFP.’ Yes, fine. That’s absolutely right. Do what you want.
“Don’t start giving lessons of ethics to Jurgen Klopp about how to behave as manager…I am so incensed by that…at least have the decency to shut up at times. We know who pays your players, we know who pays your salary. We are fully aware of what kind of regime we’re talking about. You are owned by a nation-state.
“Don’t take the moral high ground. You’re a midget compared to this man. Apologies, these are strong words. But the words that are forming in my mind are much stronger than that.”
If there is one way to shut up the Newcastle manager, then Auclair’s rant seems to be a perfect way.
Being part of a team whose owners have so many controversies around them, Howe should probably think twice before trying to take the moral high ground over anybody.
