Eddie Howe hits back: Newcastle's success is not based on money

Eddie Howe has reminded critics that Newcastle United’s success this season is not down to money as he pointed out several clubs have far bigger budgets to recruit and retain players.

Newcastle face Manchester United on Sunday knowing a win would put them level on points with Erik ten Hag’s side, who are third in the table. The back-to-back wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest before the international break have put Newcastle back in the mix for a top four finish with 12 games left to play.

Newcastle have spent around £250million on players since the club was bought by a consortium controlled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021, but that is dwarfed by the investment seen at the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Chelsea have splashed out around £600 million on players since the club was bought by an American consortium led by Todd Boehly in May last year. Manchester United invested around £227 million last summer alone to sign Casemiro, Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.

Newcastle’s wage budget is also estimated to be around the tenth highest in the division with Financial Fair Play rules restricting the amount their wealthy owners can put into the club without increasing sponsorship and other commercial income.

As things stand, Newcastle’s top earner is Kieran Trippier, who is on around £110,000-a-week. A number of clubs, including Manchester United, have several players earning double or triple that amount.

“I would make the point that there are a lot of clubs with bigger budgets than us,” said Howe, when asked if Newcastle really were competing with Manchester United on a level playing field again.

“I’ve said all along, our success is not based on money at all. I’m seeing the work and the spirit and the togetherness of the group, what every player is giving to the cause. When a team is successful it is not down to one thing, it’s a collective and a lot of different aspects go into that. It’s the same if a team isn’t performing well, We will keep doing what we are doing.

“I don’t think it is for me to judge if we are competing with Manchester United as equals. It is not what I spend my time doing. I just make sure when we turn up we are a better team than we were the week before. That is the aim.

“You can buck that trend [of the richest clubs being the most successful.] It is possible. It is not easy to do. Team spirit, togetherness, implementing a plan. Hopefully everyone is on the same page and working harder than everyone else. It is a simple blueprint that I have always tried to use.

“There are ambitions for the club to grow income. It is vital we do that because of financial fair play. We are going to be restricted depending on our income. I know that is the challenge everyone at the club is trying to find answers to.”