Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had been criticised for saying that his focus was on only football. Howe defends himself by saying that he’s not qualified to answer questions regarding his club’s Saudi owners
Newcastle director Eddie Howe has admitted he is not able to answer questions about Newcastle’s Saudi owners amid the ever-present geo-political battle.
The Magpies head coach was criticized for not addressing the issue during his post-match press conference held at .
On Monday night Football, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville said Premier League managers must be prepared answer tough questions about ownership of clubs and sources of their funds.
“In the modern world part of my job is to know what’s going on around the world and I’m reading up on that,” Howe stated during his pre-match press conference.
Howe said: “It’s a difficult one for everyone involved. I can understand why questions must be asked, I’m fine with the fact that they have to be asked.
Howe explained: “As soon as I depart from my norms into an area in which I’m not confident enough to make a big statement I feel I’m stepping into a dangerous area, which is why I’m more inclined to stick to what I’m convinced of.
The 44-year-old has also admitted to reading on the issue to be more informed about the facts.
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He stated: Naturally, one of my responsibilities in the current football management world is to keep track of what’s happening in the globe, and I’ll have to be aware of what’s happening around the world.
However, football will always be my main interest and is always the central aspect of my work, and I believe that’s the place my time should be spent.
However, Howe was appointed Newcastle coach by the team’s Saudi Public Investment Fuand owners in November, was unable to respond when asked concerning Saudi Arabia executing 81 people within a single day after the team’s defeat by 1-0 against Chelsea at the weekend.
In response to MNFpresenter David Jones whether it is appropriate for managers like Howe to be confronted with questions about these issues, Carragher responded: “Yes, I think it is in the context of the present situation and how everyone thinks about it and how against it many people are. And it’s natural that they are.
