In the aftermath of their Champions League defeat against AC Milan, the prevailing emotion in the Newcastle United dressing room was one of profound disappointment. Players like Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton were visibly disheartened, slumping to the St James’ Park turf following the 2-1 loss that brought an end to Newcastle’s European campaign.
Eddie Howe, the team’s manager, took the time to console his players on the field before making his way to the dressing room. Even Jason Tindall, known for his ebullience, appeared visibly dejected. While the pain from the defeat lingers, a semblance of equilibrium has returned a couple of days later, partly due to the supportive response from Newcastle’s ownership group.
Following the midweek setback, Eddie Howe personally engaged with Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, and received messages from the club’s Saudi Arabia-based chairman, Yasir al-Rummayan.
The message from the top has been one of unwavering support, affirming that while missing out on the Champions League last 16 and Europa League stings, there is no inclination for recriminations.
Howe emphasized the ongoing dialogue with the owners, stating, “I’ve spoken with the owners. I have regular conversations with them all. They’ve been nothing but supportive, not just through this time, but through my whole time here.”
Despite the setback, there is a collective understanding within the Newcastle family that extends beyond the manager-ownership relationship. Howe stressed the familial atmosphere within the club, emphasizing the closeness that exists among players, staff, and ownership. The upcoming challenge for Newcastle is to rebound swiftly, with their focus now turning to the Premier League match against Fulham. The unwavering support from the ownership provides a foundation for the team to regroup and tackle the upcoming challenges with renewed vigor.
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