Eddie Howe issues update on his Newcastle United future just hours after Fulham defeat
Newcastle United lost 2-0 to Fulham to finish 12th in the Premier League table.
Eddie Howe has reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle United as he looks to turn things around next season.
Newcastle’s poor Premier League campaign was capped off with an equally poor performance as they lost 2-0 to Fulham on the final day.
Issa Diop opened the scoring in the first half before substitute Tom Cairney added a second in the 80th minute as Howe’s side finished 12th in the table.
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Howe opted to start with a back five with Jacob Murphy and Lewis Hall as the wing-backs and Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw as the centre-halves.
The Magpies’ head coach hooked Murphy at half-time and reverted to a four-man defence, however that did little to improve his side’s fortunes.
Eddie Howe reacts to Fulham defeat & finishing 12th in the Premier League
Reflecting on the defeat, Howe said: “Disappointing performance, not the way we wanted to end the season, that's for sure. I think there was a disjointed view about the team today, in part, we had really limited selection choices today.
“We didn't really like how we performed for the halves and were really frustrated.”
It is the lowest Newcastle have finished under Howe after finishing 11th, 4th, 7th and 5th.
“I think it's been a really difficult season,” Howe said. “A number of fronts, a number of games were played, obviously the focus came from Europe and the Premier League, that's always a challenge.
“We haven't dealt with that really well enough in our Premier League season.”
Eddie Howe reaffirms commitment to Newcastle United
Following the match, Howe was asked about his future and replied: “Yeah, my commitment's never wavered from day one until today.”
Despite a bottom-half finish, Howe retains the backing of the club’s owners, which was made clear during a board meeting earlier this month.
Howe added: “I think regardless of who it is, unity through a football club is pretty much the core thing, from top to bottom. And I think we've always had that. I think that's, for me, that's number one.
“You need that togetherness and that plan. The club have been brilliant with me.”