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newcastle Owner eddie howe admitted that the club is in limbo as long as Stadium and training ground plans remained unresolved.
Saudi-backed owners of the Magpies Currently assessing our options on whether to redevelop St. James Park Or move to a new site as they attempt to boost business revenues, while behind the scenes, a training base that has been vastly improved remains inferior to many of their competitors.
Asked how the club can move forward in the coming years, Howe said: “Fundamentally looking at the club from a wider perspective, you look at the training grounds, the stadium – that part of the club is in limbo at the moment.
“This will be a huge step forward to get clarity on where the club is going and approach everything in a really positive way in the future. It will have a game-changing impact on everything.
“I’m talking about the academy in that as well. The fantastic work that’s going on there, if we can move everything forward in terms of facilities – not that I believe facilities are the be-all and end-all, they’re a great way to set the standards high and show our ambition in a clear and strong way – when that happens it will be a game-changer.
“Everyone has the ambition to do this.”
The current hierarchy have invested heavily around £450m in the playing squad since buying Mike Ashley in October 2021, but building out the club’s infrastructure has proven more challenging.
However, Howe insists that he would rather get it right rather than rush it, even if it means he never gets the profits.
He said: “If it takes extra time to make the right decision – and I’m not in the process of making decisions day-to-day – if the stadium project is the right one and it’s right for Newcastle for how many years the club is there, then take the extra time.
“It’s the same with the training ground. You need the right site and design. I want it to be right rather than rushed.
“I know there’s a 99.9 per cent chance I won’t see anyone in my position, but I’m still passionate about making sure it’s there for future generations of Newcastle, whether they’re supporters or players.
“The board recognizes how important this is, so I think there’s the ambition and desire to do it and there’s work going on behind the scenes. It just needs a bit of patience to make sure it’s the right solution for everyone.”
On the pitch Howe, who will send his team to Manchester United on Boxing Day, will continue his mission to bring lasting success to Tyneside, having reached a significant milestone with March’s Carabao Cup final success.
He said: “The last 12 months have been incredible for us because we finally won a trophy and when I came here, the big goal was – after being in the league – to try to win a trophy.”
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