Alex Crook has said on talkSPORT (11:25am, November 5, 2021) that there is a potential stumbling block in regard to Eddie Howe taking the Newcastle United manager’s job.
The talkSPORT journalist has suggested that Howe might be reluctant to have a relegation clause in his contract at Newcastle.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) reportedly wanted to insert such a clause when they were trying to get Unai Emery from Villarreal.
The former Arsenal manager did not want that, and Crook has suggested that Howe might not want it either.
Crook as well as BBC Sport among other media outlets have claimed that Howe has verbally agreed to take charge of Newcastle.
The journalist said on talkSPORT (11:25am, November 5, 2021): “We broke the news on talkSPORT last night that Eddie Howe has verbally agreed a two-and-a-half- year contract.
“I think they are just ironing out the minor details now, The backroom staff that we know Eddie would like to bring with him from his days at Bournemouth.
“I wonder if this relegation release clause that put off Unai Emery may be a stumbling block as well potentially.
“Basically the Newcastle owners wanted to insert a clause into the contract that if Newcastle are relegated at the end of this season, which is a possibility, whoever comes in, then they could change their manager again.
“I think Eddie Howe might be a bit reluctant to sign up for that. He wants this as a long-term project, a building block.”
Howe to Newcastle likely to happen
Given that a lot of media outlets are confident about Howe becoming the new Newcastle manager, we do not think that there will be any late twist.
Now, the Englishman might well be reluctant to agree to a relegation release clause.
However, if PIF are able to come to an agreement over a suitable pay-off and salary demands, then we do not see it as a major problem.
Of course, Howe will – and should – want some kind of assurance of being at St. James’ Park in the long run.
But, the former Bournemouth manager will also have to believe in his ability to get Newcastle out of relegation trouble.
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