Amid Man City financial row, Eddie Howe applauds prudent approach of Newcastle owners

NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe believes Newcastle United’s Saudi owners have been proved correct in their decision to take a totally different approach to financing the club, compared with that of sanctions-threatened, Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City.

This week, the Premier League charged City with breaking its Financial Fair Play rules about 100 times over a nine-year period. The club is accused of breaching the regulations between 2009 and 2018, during which time it won the Premier League title three times. If found guilty, Man City face a fine, in the best-case scenario, or possible relegation from the top flight, in the worst.

The financial situation at Newcastle is totally different, however. While cash has been thrown at Man City hand over fist since it came under Emirati ownership in 2008, Newcastle’s new owners adopted a more conservative approach when they took over in October 2021. As such, it is unlikely the Magpies will be drawn into the FFP controversy.

While he would naturally like to see more investment in his team — what manager would not — Howe understands exactly why the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the club’s other, minority, owners decided to shun the Man City model and forge their own financial path.

“Yes, they have (been sensible),” Howe said of the club’s owners. “The conditions we face mean we have to be. Hopefully it does gives a greater understanding of our methods and what we are trying to do — and me in press conferences trying to explain it.

“It’s very difficult to explain it unless you’ve got all the numbers sitting in front of you. I can’t fully give you the explanation but the way we have reacted in the transfer market, hopefully it makes sense.

“I’ve always said that Financial Fair Play