Eddie Howe addresses Newcastle ‘civil war’ after Paul Mitchell’s angry outburst

Eddie Howe has downplayed speculation over a ‘civil war’ at Newcastle following Paul Mitchell’s criticism of their transfer strategy.

The Magpies failed to secure moves for senior targets including Marc Guehi and Anthony Elanga during a summer window that was heavily influenced by PSR rules.

Mitchell [right] has been critical of the transfer strategy at NewcastleCredit: GettyIn a wide-range interview, sporting director Mitchell found fault with the club’s transfer strategy, suggesting it was not ‘fit for purpose’.

One newspaper headline then claimed that there is a ‘civil war’ at Newcastle, but boss Howe has been on hand to dismiss this.

“The civil war stuff, absolutely not, in my experience,” he said ahead of his side’s Premier League clash at Wolves on Sunday.

READ MORE ON NEWCASTLE”But I am cocooned in my work and absolutely focused on the players and the training, and I know you might be bored of that answer but it is what I do every single day that I am here.”

Howe was part of a transfer team that signed key additions including Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon in his first two-and-a-half years at St. James’ Park.

Following Mitchell’s appointment in July, Howe now has less influence on transfers but has defended the club’s past business after the sporting director’s comments.

“I think a few things on that [Mitchell’s remarks]. 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.

A ‘civil war’ has been speculated at Newcastle, but Howe has played this downCredit: Getty“I’ve said all along that I don’t want to make it about old structure and new structure but those signings obviously I played a huge part in and I took ownership of all those signings.

“I said that even if they’re good or bad I will take ownership of that because ultimately I was always the final decision maker on those signings and I was very proud to sign those players. I think they have been brilliant signings for the where we were and the long-term future of the club and I really believe in them and I still do.”

When questioned on whether or not he agreed that Newcastle’s scouting was not ‘fit for purpose’, Howe replied: “I think that is for Paul to answer.

Simon Jordan reveals he’s surprised Alexander Isak has stayed at Newcastle and reacts to Bruno Guimaraes’ captaincy

“I don’t think I can answer for him. The scouting structure was there, and whatever you think about the structures, I thought the results were very good.”

“No, I’ve had no contact from Paul”, he added on whether he and Mitchell have been in contact over the international break.

“But I don’t think that’s unusual. We’ve got different jobs to do. I’m focusing on the football and the team, and he’s obviously focusing on his role.”

Howe responded to queries over whether there have been transfer discussions since Deadline Day: “No, no discussions yet towards January. And no further discussions on anything.

Howe says he is ‘proud’ of the signings the club have made during his tenureCredit: Getty”It is about unity. And it is about coming together now and making sure we focus on this time at the moment. For me, it is all about the games and trying to get the players fit.”

Read More on talkSPORTHowe also said: “I think it’s really important there is transparency from the club and the financial situation that we have is not only discussed by me because, with all due respect to me, I’m not a numbers and figures guy. I’m a football man.

“So that isn’t my field of speciality, and I don’t pretend that it is. So I think it’s good that we have different people communicating about those areas.”

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