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Eddie Howe Hits Back At Gary Neville And Jamie Carragher Over Newcastle's Saudi Ownership

Eddie Howe Hits Back At Gary Neville And Jamie Carragher Over Newcastle's Saudi Ownership

Eddie Howe responded to Gary Neville And Jamie Carragher's comments made on Monday Night Football.

​Eddie Howe has hit back at critics over Newcastle United's Saudi Arabia ownership, saying his 'specialist subject is football'.

Howe was asked about Saudi's mass execution following his side's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend. 

Image: PA
Image: PA

But the Magpies boss refused to speak about the execution that saw 81 individuals ordered to be killed. 

"I'm here to manage the football team and coach the football team," he said when pressed on the matter. 

Since Sunday's press conference at Stamford Bridge, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher insist Premier League managers must stand up and be prepared to answer difficult questions. 

Ahead of Newcastle's league match at Everton, Howe was once again asked about the situation in Saudi Arabia and the criticism he has received for avoiding the question.

The 44-year-old told Sky Sports: "In the modern world part of my job is to know what's going on around the world and I'm reading up on that.​

"I respect Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher's opinion and I get on well with them. I've no issue with that they said. But ultimately it's my right to say what I need to say.​

"It's a difficult one for everyone concerned. I understand the questions have to be asked, I've got no problem with that.​

"From my perspective - and I've always maintained this - my specialist subject is football. It's what I know, it's what I've trained to do.​

"As soon as I deviate from that into an area where I don't feel qualified to have a huge opinion, I think I go into dangerous ground, so I prefer to stick to what I believe I know.

"I'm hugely proud to represent this football club and the supporters and the city and I'm trying to create a team the city can be proud of, and all my energy is going into that and will continue to."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Howe, though, admits he's reading up about it in a bid to familiarise himself with the situation. 

"Obviously part of my job now in the modern football management scene is to know what's going on around the world, and I will have to do that," he added.

"But football will have to be and will always be my passion and it will always be the main crux of my job, and I think that's where my time needs to be spent."

Newcastle, meanwhile, occupy 14th place in the table ahead of facing Everton, having gained some momentum since the start of the new year. 

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Eddie Howe, Newcastle United, Football