Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson and chief financial officer Simon Capper have presented the club’s latest accounts showing a record turnover of £335.3million, an increase of £15m on 2023-24.
The pair met with journalists at St James’ Park and, during a bombshell briefing, it was revealed that the stadium has been sold to a subsidiary company controlled by the club’s ownership.
But the biggest news to emerge is that the future of Eddie Howe is uncertain, as is that of star players such as Sandro Tonali.
Our chief football reporter CRAIG HOPE was in the room, and here he brings you the headlines and breaks down exactly what all of it means on a hugely significant day inside St James’…
The biggest news to emerge from David Hopkinson and Simon Capper’s bombshell briefing is that the future of Eddie Howe is uncertain, as is that of star players such as Sandro Tonali
Hopkinson met with journalists at St James’ Park – here we reveal the truth behind the headlines
Eddie Howe’s future in doubt
CONTEXT: Newcastle were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland last time out and, post-match, Howe and his players were booed by some supporters inside St James’. The result left the team 12th in the Premier League and, inevitably, there was an angry backlash. It has led to debate over Howe’s future on Tyneside and beyond.
QUESTION: Do you have an update on Eddie Howe’s future?
HOPKINSON: ‘I don’t have a stance on his future. What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt. We take it seriously. There’s nothing within us that thinks, “Well, it’s just three points and on we go”. It has resonated. I spent a couple of hours in a one-on-one lunch recently with Eddie and we talked through a multitude of things, including that.
‘Eddie’s our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we’ll talk about the future when it’s time. Right now, we’re focused on this season’s competition.’
Q: Can you clarify your comments about the manager, as it seemed you were leaving it open, saying his future will be assessed in the summer?
‘I would not frame it that way. We are not looking to make a change at the moment. We are not having those conversations. We are still in the midst of the season. Right now we are focused on the seven matches we have remaining and not distracting ourselves with speculation about what we may or may not do in the summer. Right now, all of us have only got so much bandwidth and we are focused on this season and finishing…