Howe heads into tomorrow’s home game with Bournemouth facing the biggest crisis of his four-and-a-half years as Newcastle head coach, with his side floundering in 14th position in the Premier League table and a significant section of the club’s fanbase beginning to question whether he remains the right man to take the Magpies forward.
Tomorrow, he will line up against a Bournemouth side led by Andoni Iraola, whose summer departure from the Vitality Stadium has heightened speculation over Howe’s position at St James’ Park.
When asked directly about his own position at his pre-match press conference at Darsley Park, Howe said he would be willing to step down if he felt it was in the best interests of Newcastle. However, he quickly followed up by insisting that was not the case, stressing his determination to lead whatever level of rebuild is needed in the summer.
“I just want serve the club and do what’s right for the football club,” said Howe, whose side have lost seven of their last ten league games. “That’s always been my aim.
“If that’s me leaving to help the club, then of course that’s something I’ll do, I’ve got no issue doing that. It’s not about me.
“But if I believe I’m the right person to take the club forward, which I do currently right now, then I’ll do that and I’ll fight to the end. I’ll fight harder than I’ve ever fought before, but it’s about making sure that those two things are aligned.”
In recent weeks, questions have been raised about Howe’s stomach for the fight given how difficult the forthcoming summer could be.
Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon are all the subject of strong speculation linking them with potential summer moves away from Tyneside, while the failure of either Yoane Wissa or Nick Woltemade to impress this season means there are huge questions marks over Newcastle’s attacking options moving forward.
Howe accepts changes will be needed once the transfer window reopens, but while the Magpies are on track for their worst finishing position under their current head coach, the 48-year-old is adamant he remains as committed, passionate and ambitious as ever.
“In terms of my fire, my fire is burning very, very strongly,” he said. “That’s no guarantee from my side what’s going to happen in the future because as I’ve said before, the forces that move in football clubs move quickly. But my fire is there. There’s loads of wood stacked up and I’m ready to put it on it.”