Newcastle 'dream not over, it'll just take longer'

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says the club need to focus on building revenue streams

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has told the club's fans "the dream is not over, it's just going to take a lot, lot longer".

When Amanda Staveley helped complete the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle in 2021, she claimed the Magpies could win the Premier League within 10 years.

They qualified for the Champions League in 2022-23 but finished seventh last term and Staveley sold her minority shareholding in the close season.

This summer's pursuit of Marc Guehi proved unsuccessful, with the England defender staying at Crystal Palace despite Newcastle making four bids, while the Magpies have also been struggling to complete a deal for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

Asked if the club's fans had been sold a false dream, Howe, who has managed the side since 2021, said: "I don't think the dream dies, necessarily, but I think it takes a lot longer.

"We've got to build our revenue streams, that is the biggest thing. We've got to bring more money into the football club, however we do that - through player sales, through sponsorship, through loads of various things.

"That's the big thing that we need to focus on now for the next, probably, 10 years.

"Whether I'm lucky enough to see any of that, who knows? But the dream is not over, it's just going to take a lot, lot longer."

Newcastle's owners have invested more than £400m in the squad but over the last 12 months, the club's recruitment has been hampered by the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules.

They had to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh in a bid to comply with PSR limits, and there has been speculation over the futures of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, while the Magpies tried to broker a deal with Liverpool involving Anthony Gordon.

The permanent arrival of Lewis Hall had already been agreed so Newcastle's biggest summer signing has so far been Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer from Bournemouth.

"I'm not going to sit here and say it's been a brilliant transfer window for us," said 46-year-old Howe, who has also managed Bournemouth and Burnley.

"But it's not been through the want of trying. Everyone has tried really, really hard to improve the squad to make sure we've got a chance of success."