BREAKING NEWS:Eddie Howe approved the suspension of two key players few minutes ago..
EDDIE Howe has hit back at sporting director Paul Mitchell’s criticism of Newcastle’s transfer strategy in recent years and launched a staunch defence of United’s recruitment.
In a sit-down briefing with the media during the international break, Mitchell said there “hasn’t been a clear strategy over the last five years” on Tyneside and questioned whether the club’s scouting network was “fit for purpose”.
But head coach Howe says he’s “very proud” of Newcastle’s business in recent years, with several signings helping the Magpies scramble out of relegation trouble and soar into the Champions League.
Howe also revealed he hasn’t spoken to Mitchell since the sporting director’s interview but insists there’s no “civil war” behind the scenes at St James’ Park,
Asked for his verdict on Mitchell’s interview and the sporting director’s comments on recent recruitment, Howe said: “I think a few things on that. I’m very, very proud of every single player that we signed in that period.
“It is very easy to look back at any transfer window and make a judgement on the players you have signed three years down the line. But you have to go back to the situation when we were in those moments, in the relegation zone and trying to recruit players. That is not an easy thing to do.
“You’re also recruiting not just for the short term, but for the long term. When you look back, that work was good.
“Our objective was to stay in the league, so I’m not going to critique every signing, but I’m very, very proud of the body of work that we did and the players that we have now from the legacy of those transfer windows.
“We love them to bits. So I think it’s about when you’re in that moment and the decisions that you made. I think everyone can hold their heads up very high.
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