Newcastle: Eddie Howe is ‘very happy’ amid his Manchester United link

There were tensions between Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell, who left last summer after less than a year in the job.

But Howe quickly reached an understanding with Ross Wilson, who replaced Mitchell.

Wilson is the third sporting director Howe has worked with since taking over, while David Hopkinson is the second chief executive after Darren Eales stepped down due to ill health.

Howe said he is happy at Newcastle as long as he is able to “express myself in the best way possible and be the best version of myself.”

Newcastle are ninth in the Premier League – but just two points off fifth – and have reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup on course for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Howe continues to enjoy the support of the club’s majority owners, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, as well as minority shareholder Jamie Rubin.

“For any club to succeed, there has to be unity from top to bottom,” Howe said. “There has to be a good feeling among everyone.

“I’ve had an incredible relationship with the board. That has never changed.”

“I consider myself very lucky to have had that because there are very few managers who have the time to build those relationships.

“Having trust between each other is really important. We hope that continues for a long time.”