Turns out Jurgen had it wrong all along
Eddie Howe has insisted there is a ceiling for Saudi-backed Newcastle United, despite recent comments made by Jurgen Klopp.
In the build-up to his Liverpool side’s Premier League meeting with Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City on Sunday, Klopp said it was “impossible” for other clubs to compete with the vast financial resources of state-owned teams.
Newcastle, along with City and Qatar-backed Paris Saint-Germain, were one of the three clubs Klopp made reference to, specifically pointing to sporting director Dan Ashworth’s comments about how there was “no ceiling” for the club’s ambition.
Asked about Klopp’s comments before Newcastle’s game against Everton on Wednesday, Howe said:
“It’s a difficult one because it’s probably been used in the wrong way. What Dan meant with his comment was there’s no ceiling to our ambition long term.
“We have huge plans and want to go to places with huge ambitions, but the reality of what we are working towards and working with, there is a ceiling because of all the things I have sat here and explained every week – Financial Fair Play, we’re still in a training ground that’s being renovated.
“We’re not living that life that is being discussed. We are living a very different reality. Our wage bill is very controlled. We’re trying to do things in a very stable and controlled way.
“Although we have spent money on players, it has not been extravagant or out of sync with the rest of the Premier League. Everyone has to be careful with their comments and opinions.”
Related links:
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- Mainz fans call for club to cancel friendly with Newcastle over Saudi ownership
- Amnesty say new ‘Saudi-themed’ Newcastle shirt is PR for Mohammed bin Salman
