🎧 Hopkinson's 'open answer' on Howe 'gives people opportunity to speculate'published at 10:08 BST 2 April
10:08 BST 2 April
Image source, PA Media
BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and former Newcastle defender John Anderson have run through the club's latest financial results and comments made by chief executive David Hopkinson earlier this week about the future of manager Eddie Howe.
"He [Hopkinson] didn't give a great deal away," said Anderson. "He didn't back him but he didn't say that he wasn't backing him either - it was a very measured type of answer he gave.
"I think an awful lot rides on these last seven [Premier League] games. He had a meeting with Eddie Howe, they went through an awful lot of things and we'll see what the summer brings.
"The derby defeat, losing home and away [to Sunderland], hasn't sat well with supporters either.
"People will read what he's said in different ways. Some will say 'he's definitely not backing Howe and he's away in the summer' - but he hasn't said that, has he?
"You've got to be very careful and speculation will be rife. The answer he gave to that question gives people the opportunity to speculate. It was a very open answer.
"All I would say is wait until the end of the season, see where we are at the end of the season and see what happens."
Listen to the full discussion by clicking the play button below or via BBC Sounds.
Gossip: Tonali transfer speculation continuespublished at 07:13 BST 2 April
07:13 BST 2 April
Sandro Tonali's representatives have made contact with Real Madrid as part of a widening search for the 25-year-old's next club, while Manchester City are also interested in signing the Newcastle United midfielder. (Teamtalk), external
Can Newcastle fight on four fronts without depth of status quo?published at 15:29 BST 1 April
15:29 BST 1 April
Image source, Getty Images
The final part of our Q&A with BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly looks at how far off the Magpies are from competing at the top as well as the revenue gap.
Dan asked: Do you think next season will be a lot more consistent than this season without the pressure of European football potentially? It's clear the squad isn't strong enough to be fighting on four fronts and burnout has kicked in. Eddie Howe is a top manager but can only do so much with the squad he has.
Mark, on a similar theme, asked: Newcastle have a number of great players but not the strength in the squad to compete in Champions League and the Premier League. Arsenal,Manchester City,Liverpool etc can rest players and bring on internationals to replace them. With PSR, how far off are we?
Ciaran answered: This made me immediately think back to Newcastle's FA Cup tie against Manchester City last month.
Pep Guardiola made 10 changes, named Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias, Rodri, Bernando Silva, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden on a stacked bench, and gave Erling Haaland the night off.
City went 1-0 down yet still ended up winning the game comfortably at St James' Park - just as they did in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
It felt a reminder of the almighty challenge Newcastle face while competing on multiple fronts and battling clubs with far greater wage bills and deeper squads.
For context, Manchester City generated more in commercial income (£340.2m) than Newcastle did in overall revenue (£335.3m) last season.
Newcastle can compete with any side on their day – it is worth remembering they defeated City in the league back in November – but the test is to do so consistently in the league over the course of the season while also progressing in Europe and going far in the cups.
That has proved difficult for Newcastle both this season and, indeed, in their previous campaign in the Champions League in 2023.
But Newcastle can ill-afford to yo-yo in and out of Europe to truly progress, in my view.
Otherwise, how do they truly learn and adapt as, say, Aston Villa have for the most part - even if this has admittedly been a challenging few months for Unai Emery's side.
Image source, Getty Images
Ozzy asked: Newcastle's annual revenue has increased significantly each year under the new ownership. Estimates suggest that the next annual revenue figure will top £400m. How accurate are these estimates?
Ciaran answered: That is certainly the projection.
It is worth noting the most recent set of financial results were for the year ending June 2025 so this £335.3m figure did not include the club's lucrative march to the last 16 of the Champions League or the £125m sale of Alexander Isak.
The Champions League is a game-changer.
Newcastle's commercial income rose by 44% last season yet overall revenue only increased by £15m in the absence any European football.
It may be tempting to suggest it would be better for Newcastle to again drop out of Uefa competitions altogether next season in order to front load spending and enable the club to splash out up to 85% of of their football-related revenue and net profit/loss from player sales under the Premier League's new squad cost rules.
However, that would then prove damaging if Newcastle were to return to Europe in the following season as the previous campaign would still be taken into account in Uefa's three-year monitoring period.
It would make it difficult for Newcastle to comply as Uefa limits clubs' spending on wages, transfers and agents' fees to 70% of revenue.
The Champions League is by far the most rewarding competition but, even if Newcastle are to miss out this season, the hierarchy feel the Europa League would still be pretty beneficial and even the Conference League would be better than no European football whatsoever.
That's why finishing this season strongly still feels important - on and off the field.
Will there be a mass exodus of Newcastle's best players?published at 11:42 BST 1 April
11:42 BST 1 April
Image source, Getty Images
The next part of our Q&A with BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly looks at potential big-name departures and Eddie Howe's future.
Jeff asked: Will there be a mass exodus of our best players this summer - Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon - or do we have strength because of their contract situations?
Ciaran answered: Newcastle have to become better sellers in order to reinvest in multiple areas of the side, and I don't see the club shying away from trading this summer.
That does not mean that there will be a mass exodus, but I can certainly envisage a couple of key figures moving on for sizeable fees, along with a number of squad players.
As you rightly point out, Newcastle are in a strong position to demand huge sums.
As I said in my first answer earlier, Tonali effectively has four years left to run on his deal, while Gordon's contract also does not expire until 2030.
It is a little different with Guimaraes, whose deal runs out in 2028, but I've had no information that the Newcastle captain is seeking to leave.
Although Tino Livramento's contract is also up in a couple of years, and there has been no progress in talks, I still think Newcastle would be in a strong position to command a premium for the England international, who is still only 23.
If you were to push me on it, right now, I would say Livramento and Tonali were most likely to depart, but there are bound to be twists and turns in the coming months.
Image source, Getty Images
Alexander asked: Do you think Howe should be given more time to get things right?
Ciaran answered: Certainly until at least the end of the season. That would then feel like an opportune time for all parties - Howe included - to sit down and review the campaign and plot the best way forward.
There have been notable achievements this season - qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League and reaching a third EFL Cup semi-final in four years - but this has been a bruising campaign.
Newcastle are 12th in the Premier League for a reason and, rather than the season being as good as over, it feels like there is a lot riding on the final seven games.
Chief executive David Hopkinson has inferred as much.
"I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we'll talk about the future when it's time," he said this week.
Howe, similarly, will just be focusing on the run-in.
The Newcastle head coach will have the rare luxury of extra recovery time and training time as a relentless schedule finally eases following six draining months.
This is where Howe has previously come into his own at Newcastle after leading his side to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025, when they felt the benefit of being able to focus solely on domestic matters.
The top five looks out of reach this time around, but Howe has to generate some momentum in the final weeks of the season and qualify for Europe, for me.
Although Newcastle have not exactly got a great recent record against some of their upcoming opponents, and have suffered some damaging results at the hands of sides in the bottom half this season, Howe's team do not have the worst run-in.
In fact, league leaders Arsenal are the only side currently in the top eight who Newcastle will face between now and the end of the campaign.
Throw in the fact the squad will be lifted by the return of talisman Guimaraes, as well as Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar, and Howe has the tools to finish the season strongly.
Then it feels like the time to take stock before what is sure to be a busy summer.
Come back later on Wednesday for the final part of our Q&A, which will look at how far Newcastle are off competing at the top.
Where do Newcastle need to strengthen this summer?published at 07:19 BST 1 April
07:19 BST 1 April
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly will be answering a selection of the questions you have sent in throughout Wednesday.
Liam asked: What positions do you think we need to sign in the summer window?
Ciaran answered: Where to start?
A new goalkeeper is right at the top of my list, while at least one full-back will be needed.
Throw in a technical central midfielder and a prolific striker and, suddenly, I'm already hitting a nine-figure spend. Gulp.
That's before even taking departures into account, and the gaps that would need to be filled.
Take a long-serving player like Fabian Schar. He may be 34 and entering the final months of his contract, but Newcastle would still have to pay a reasonable fee to find a worthy replacement, even if it is a younger player capable of one day filling the defender's boots.
So do they hand the Swiss another deal or truly overhaul the squad?
It is not hard to envisage a one in, one out policy this summer.
Newcastle are going to have to be smart with their trading to generate the sorts of funds to enable the club to strengthen the spine of the team, which has to be the priority.
That carries an element of risk when moving on one or two key players, but Newcastle have to become good sellers as well as good buyers moving forward.
They can't afford for a saga to rumble on in the way the Alexander Isak affair did last summer or get to a position where they are having to race against the clock to sell the talented Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to avoid a breach of financial rules like in 2024.
They have to be strategic.
Image source, Getty Images
Ed and Lara both asked: How likely is it that Sandro Tonali will leave?
Ciaran answered: Nothing is cast in stone.
But if you were to push me on it, right now, I would put Tonali in the top two blue-chip players most likely to depart Newcastle this summer.
It's important to note that head coach Eddie Howe has repeatedly made it clear that the Italian is "totally committed" - and I don't doubt that.
Tonali gave an entirely reasonable response earlier this season when he said he was just thinking year by year rather than looking too far ahead.
However, his agent, Giuseppe Riso, has never been so outspoken about his client's future during the entirety of his time at Newcastle.
That does not go unnoticed.
My mind also casts back to an interview Tonali did around this time a year ago with Sky Sports.
He repeatedly made it clear how Newcastle "needed" to qualify for the Champions League before his side secured a top-five finish.
This is the stage Tonali relishes, having previously reached the semi-finals of the competition with AC Milan in 2023, and, like Isak before him, he will want to compete for the biggest prizes in the game as he approaches his peak years.
Newcastle are, obviously, not in a place to do so yet, but the club remains in a very strong position with regards to Tonali.
The 25-year-old effectively has more than four years to run on his contract if, as expected, Newcastle trigger a 12-month extension.
Given the fees midfielders of his age, experience and profile command, Newcastle would stand to make a real profit on the £55m they paid AC Milan if a suitor firms up their interest.
Otherwise what is the point?
No wonder chief executive David Hopkinson made it clear this week that any players who depart will do so "on our terms".
Come back to this page later for parts two and three of the Q&A, which will look at subjects such as Howe's future and the revenue gap to the top clubs.
The Magpies are open to selling their best players for the right price this summer, giving Manchester United a boost in their pursuit of midfielder Sandro Tonali. (Sun), external
'Hierarchy clearly expects strong finish'published at 18:00 BST 31 March
18:00 BST 31 March
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
From the outside looking in, it may appear that Newcastle's season is as good as over.
That is certainly not the view within the club.
Not only will Eddie Howe be desperate to generate some momentum and finish the campaign on a high - the hierarchy, clearly, expects a strong return from the final seven games of the season.
Newcastle will feel the financial hit of likely missing out on the Champions League, but qualifying for Europe remains a priority target.
It is still a realistic one, too, with Newcastle just four points off seventh place.
Newcastle were fighting on four fronts as recently as last month, but Howe's side will be afforded more recovery time and more time on the training pitches in the coming weeks.
CEO David Hopkinson maintained "we are not distracting ourselves with speculation about what we may or may not do in the summer".
However, given the glowing terms chief executive has previously spoken about Howe, who he called a "special" manager in December, it was not exactly a resounding show of faith.
Huge gap still to bridgepublished at 14:09 BST 31 March
14:09 BST 31 March
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson has been speaking following the release of the club's latest set of financial results for the year ending June 2025.
The accounts detail how the sale of the leasehold to St James' Park and adjacent land to PZ Holdings Limited, a subsidiary company, contributed to the club posting a £34.7m profit after tax.
The club insist this was carried out with a view to either redeveloping the stadium or building a new ground, rather than complying with the Premier League's outgoing profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
Newcastle's chief financial officer Simon Capper said "the motivation was very much to reorganise our property assets and get them into the correct legal boxes to allow us to go forward with our potential development and to facilitate that with financing".
Newcastle ultimately announced club-record revenues of £335.3m, but still have a huge gap to bridge on the status quo.
Liverpool, by comparison, generated £703m in the same period, while Manchester City brought in more in commercial revenue (£340.4m) than Newcastle raised in overall income.
It is a timely reminder of the challenge Newcastle face to somehow realise Hopkinson's vision of competing for the biggest prizes by 2030.
"When I think about our competitors, they are formidable and they have already got a head start on us, but all they've got is a head start on us and we've got a tremendous opportunity for growth right in front of us," he added.
"We've used the phrase 'headroom' in terms of a player budget, but what I also look at is the commercial opportunity. We have significant headroom to catch up.
"It means we've got work harder. We've got to work smarter with high conviction and energy every single day to capture that headroom. We've got to catch these guys."
'Any player under contract is going to leave on our terms'published at 11:35 BST 31 March
11:35 BST 31 March
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle United still have seven games to play this season as they bid to make a late push for a European spot.
The club are planning for both eventualities in the transfer market, whether they qualify or miss out.
Eddie Howe has been involved in planning for these scenarios alongside sporting director Ross Wilson, with another busy summer on the cards.
Newcastle need to strengthen the ageing spine of the side while there are also doubts surrounding the long-term futures of a number of key players, including midfielder Sandro Tonali.
The Italian effectively has four years left on his contract - if Newcastle trigger a 12-month extension, as expected - which puts the club in a strong position.
But it was just last summer that Newcastle - eventually - buckled and sold top scorer Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British-record £125m after he went "on strike" to force through a move to Anfield.
David Hopkinson was appointed as chief executive a few weeks after Isak's exit and felt it was a "good sale" - even if Newcastle have struggled to adapt to life without the striker after spending a combined £124m on forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Strategic player trading is clearly going to become a key part of Newcastle's model moving forward, but Hopkinson warned any individuals seeking a move will not simply get their way.
"If an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms," said Hopkinson.
"We're going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club."
Gossip: Newcastle close to signing Ecuadorian winger Martinezpublished at 06:45 BST 31 March
06:45 BST 31 March
Newcastle have been given a boost in their bid to keep hold of Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer with Serie A clubs unlikely to be able to afford the 25-year-old. (Talksport), external
Newcastle have agreed a deal in principle to sign Independiente del Valle's 16-year-old Ecuadorian winger Johan Martinez. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Newcastle's contract talks have stalled with England defender Tino Livramento, opening the door for a summer exit for the 23-year-old. (Football Insider), external
'In the absence of any real news, rumours start'published at 12:50 BST 30 March
12:50 BST 30 March
Charlotte Robson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I'd like to start a petition for sports journalists to be forced to take a break at the same time as the international break, a bit like teachers taking the same holiday times as their students.
Unless they're covering national teams or games or what not. I'll allow that.
The reason for my new-found, hyper-specific activism is that when there's an international break, particularly at this point in the season, there are still column inches to fill on the clubs that get covered. And, in the absence of any real news, rumours start.
I'm not saying all transfer rumours are unfounded. I know that agents and clubs speak to journalists and all these strings are being pulled in the background. What I'm saying is won't someone please consider the mental impact on me, personally, of headlines suggesting the entire spine of Newcastle United is going to be sold this summer? Won't someone think about ME?
If the rumours are to be believed then Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon are the key players eyeing a move, and there could be more. This is compounded by the fact we almost certainly won't be playing European football next season and we know these players want to be playing at the elite level.
Marry all of the above with things like wages, and Tonali being injured for Newcastle's derby against Sunderland but, four days later, being fit enough to play for Italy (and get an assist and goal), and I do start to think perhaps it's time to follow another passion. Trainspotting, maybe.
I am not naive. I know we have some exceptional players who deserve to play exceptional football and if we can't provide that they will leave.
It's a big summer for new sporting director Ross Wilson and his team. I just wish all the work could be done quietly, without all the rumours.
Newcastle Q&A: Send your questionspublished at 17:57 GMT 27 March
17:57 GMT 27 March
A Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona and a demoralising home defeat by arch-rivals Sunderland sent Newcastle into the international break at a low ebb.
Attention for Eddie Howe will now turn to a late push to qualify for any European football next season, with some questions about his future beginning to be asked.
Over the weekend, we want you to send in your questions on the Magpies for our Newcastle United reporter.
Use the link below and we'll put them to Ciaran Kelly. And come to the page next week to find his replies.
How Newcastle and other big clubs are developing future starspublished at 15:52 GMT 27 March
15:52 GMT 27 March
Media caption,
Football In 10 Years is a new series from BBC Sport that explores what the future of the beautiful game could look like by 2036.
Featuring technical innovations, new stadium designs, and discussions on what impact AI will have on coaching and watching football, the series investigates what the direction of travel looks like over the next decade.
BBC Sport has taken a trip to Malta to see an under-10s tournament featuring Newcastle United and Benfica.
They look at what challenges these players face in their quest to become professionals and whether the techniques and technologies for developing young talent are changing for the future.
Tonali leaving 'would be disappointing' - Howeypublished at 10:35 GMT 27 March
10:35 GMT 27 March
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has told BBC Radio Newcastle it "would be disappointing" if Sandro Tonali was to leave the club this summer.
The Italy international has been with the Magpies since a £55m move from AC Milan in July 2023.
There were reports on Thursday of a "gentleman's agreement" being in place which could see Tonali leave for another club if the Magpies do not qualify for any European competition. Subsequently, outlets have reported that, in the club's view, no such arrangement exists.
The 25-year-old initially signed a five-year contract and extended his deal by a year while serving a 10-month ban, which started in October 2023, from the Italian Football Federation for breaching betting rules.
His new terms also included the Magpies having an option to trigger an additional 12-month extension to 2030.
"He's a top player and if the team got into any type of European competition then I would expect him to stop [at the club]," said Howey.
"I can also see why it's difficult [for him] because do you expect him to [stay] if Newcastle don't get Europe at all?"
Panel backs VAR over Newcastle penalty claim at Chelseapublished at 13:24 GMT 26 March
13:24 GMT 26 March
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle United should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-0 win at Chelsea on 14 March, but it did not reach the threshold for a VAR intervention.
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel voted 4:1 that referee Paul Tierney should have pointed to the spot after Reece James held back Malick Thiaw.
However, it unanimously said that the VAR, Michael Salisbury, was right not to step in and tell the referee he had made a clear and obvious error.
The incident happened in the 34th minute with Newcastle already in the lead.
The KMI Panel noted that "James gets caught the wrong side and maintains contact".
It added that while both players were holding, "on balance the action of James was non-footballing and impactful".
Gossip: Howe has backing of the clubpublished at 07:09 GMT 26 March
07:09 GMT 26 March
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has the backing of the club, despite some unrest among fans following their Champions League exit to Barcelona and a defeat by rivals Sunderland. (Times - subscription required), external
Manchester United are looking at 19-year-old RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, Newcastle United and England defender Lewis Hall, 21, and Everton and Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye, 26, as they prepare for a likely return to European competition. (Sky Sports), external
Woltemade and Wissa 'totally different' to 'pivotal' Isakpublished at 17:58 GMT 25 March
17:58 GMT 25 March
Media caption,
Former Newcastle United full-back John Anderson believes St James' Park is still "missing" Alexander Isak and says the transfer "saga" didn't help club matters in the summer transfer window either.
The Sweden international signed a six-year contract to join fellow Premier League side Liverpool for a British-record transfer fee of £125m in September 2025.
"I don't think anybody would disagree with the fact that we have missed Alexander Isak," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle. "He was pivotal to the way that we played.
"He scored 20-odd goals last season but not only did he score goals, he also created chances and made goals for others with his pace and the way he stood defenders up.
"The saga of trying to keep him dragged on too long. It didn't give the club time to get the players they wanted in.
"They tried to get people in but those players decided they wanted to go elsewhere, so instead we got Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
"But they are totally different players to Alexander Isak. He made things happen."
'A refresh is vital' - why break has come at good time for Magpiespublished at 12:27 GMT 25 March
12:27 GMT 25 March
Charlotte Robson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I always find it difficult to write when Newcastle United have not played football at the weekend, and this week is no exception, because Newcastle United did not play football this weekend and so there is nothing for me to think or worry about!
Of course, the more I try to 'Men In Black' Sunday away, the more it comes screaming back at me.
Actually, I have been trying to forget the entire past week from a Newcastle United perspective. To enter into dialogue with it is to have to analyse where we are in relation to where we want to be - and the gulf between the two is widening.
Hosting Sunderland, after losing in December, was big. We needed to right the wrongs of the away fixture and other results at the weekend meant it was also an opportunity to challenge for the Champions League. We lost.
I am not going to spend my words here arguing for or against Eddie Howe. The problems we have at Newcastle are not only at his feet. Instead, I am going to verbally perambulate around the topic of what is going on with our players.
We used to laud our players for 'getting it', for understanding the region, the fixtures and what a cup win meant to us. On Sunday, it felt like they might have got it for about 15 minutes of the game and then they forgot it.
Why does it all unclick mid-game? This is not all on the management. It is possible that fatigue plays a part - they have played an extraordinary amount of football this season. To me, it looks closer to burnout.
A refresh is vital. There is anger after the past couple of fixtures. Thank goodness we have three weeks before our next game. It almost feels like the fans need it as much as the team.
Newcastle should resist any calls for changepublished at 08:20 GMT 25 March
08:20 GMT 25 March
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
The biggest game of the weekend was Newcastle v Sunderland - well, it was in the north east, anyway.
For all the passion, and there was plenty on show, as well as the usual late drama, in the end it was Sunderland winning to go 11th leaving their neighbours down in 12th.
For Sunderland it is still a fine season as a promoted side, but for Newcastle this is disappointing mid-table mediocrity following defeat in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup against Manchester City and in the Champions League against Barcelona.
The calls for Eddie Howe's head will grow, but I still think he should be given at least another season.
One without European football would look very different and probably more successful for his overstretched squad.
Image source, PA Media
