Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer is desperate for the issues between Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell to come to an end.
It has been an uncomfortable situation at Newcastle United in recent weeks. There has been a lot of tension, as the fallout from the summer transfer window continues.
Football’s Most Shameful Transfer Saga
Paul Mitchell failed to enhance Eddie Howe‘s squad with any major signings, and made sure to deflect the blame away from himself during a very clumsy interview.
The Newcastle United sporting director did not cover himself in glory, having stated that he played a backseat role in the transfer market and that the Magpies’ previous recruitment plan was not fit for purpose.
Eddie Howe defended his signings, as the manager and the sporting director now aim to settle their differences ahead of the January transfer window.
Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe (L) laughs with Newcastle United Sporting Director Paul Mitchell (R) during the Newcastle United Pre Season …
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Alan Shearer reflects on Newcastle United’s ‘off the pitch’ issues
And Toon legend Alan Shearer believes that the issues between Howe and Mitchell are having an impact on the club’s performances.
After seeing the Magpies lose 3-1 to Fulham, Shearer believes that Newcastle are lacking intensity. However, he also told The Rest Is Football podcast that the behind the scenes issues at St James’ Park are also a major problem right now.
“What’s going on off the pitch [is an issue],” he said.
“We’ve said it before about the sporting director and Eddie. Unless that gets sorteId out somehow, it will affect performances on the pitch. It always does.
“Whatever happens off the pitch in terms of the boardroom, it eventually comes down and that needs to be sorted out.”
READ MORE: Who is Alan Shearer? Stats, Height, Wife, Daughter, Net Worth
What Alan Shearer previously said about Paul Mitchell
Shearer is eager to see the issues between Howe and Mitchell come to an end, and so are the Toon owners. It was reported last week that PIF are desperate for Howe and Mitchell’s relationship to work.
However, it has certainly been a rocky start. The summer transfer window was a bit of a disaster, and the fallout from it has been an unnecessary distraction.
After the transfer window closed, Shearer stated that Newcastle’s inability to sign anyone did not reflect well on Mitchell, while he then called on the sporting director to speak out and address the situation.
Mitchell did exactly that, and made the situation even worse. Now the issues are lingering, and the fear is that it could hinder Newcastle’s performances.
Shearer was not impressed with Newcastle United against Fulham
Every time Newcastle are playing and fall behind, the camera now pans to Paul Mitchell. That is exactly what happened on Saturday as the Magpies slumped to a concerning defeat.
Newcastle lost 3-1 to Fulham, passing up the chance to go top of the Premier League.
That was awful from Newcastle. Got what they deserved. Fulham much much better. #FULNEW
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) September 21, 2024
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Shearer said Newcastle were awful against Fulham, and has now given a more detailed analysis of the Magpies’ performance after Gary Lineker remarked on The Rest Is Football podcast that Howe’s side were ‘not very good’ at Craven Cottage.
“That’s being polite, they were rotten for the first half,” he said.
“They were dreadful, awful! I know they’ve had the results, three wins and a draw, but it was a bit of a reality check.
“They hadn’t played well all season. They were getting through games and we were saying about their team spirit. That has be a good sign, once they start playing well then things will start to click.
“They didn’t deserve anything against Fulham and were really poor. They changed it up second half and there was a little bit of an improvement, but Fulham were miles better and deserved to beat Newcastle.”
Next up for Newcastle United is a Premier League clash with Manchester City at St James’ Park.
Howe’s side were meant to be in Carabao Cup action against Wimbledon on Tuesday night, but that match has now been postponed due to flooding at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
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