- Gordon transfer handled by Newcastle higher-ups
- Howe reluctant to let Gordon go but was ultimately overruled
- Why the current strategy suggests a power shift on Tyneside
Newcastle United’s sale of Anthony Gordon wasn’t too much of a shock in its purest form. The Magpies knew they would have to sell at least one or two of their bigger names this summer.
But what did surprise some was the speed at which the deal was completed and how quickly Newcastle decided that they were happy to let Gordon go.
In many ways, it was a stark contrast from the way the club has been run in the past couple of transfer windows, with criticism being aimed at the lack of cohesion behind the scenes and the often slow pace at which deals were conducted.
Eddie Howe is a manager notorious for his desire to hold onto current players. As referenced by the Isak saga last summer, Howe was very reluctant to engage in any conversations about a possible departure.
Of the current squad, Gordon was undeniably one of Howe’s more favoured players, which is exactly why it was such a shock to see the club so willing to engage in negotiations.
It very much feels as if the power dynamic has shifted this summer, with a hierarchy in place that can take the onus of decisions off Howe’s plate.
Howe reluctant but powerless
All of the reports following the deal have suggested that Howe did not want Gordon to leave the club this summer and instead wanted to build the squad around him going forward.
But Howe was not given the privilege of making the final decision on the England international’s future, as has been the case previously.
Instead, CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson took charge of every part of the negotiations.
Whilst, of course, Howe’s input was taken on board, the sale of such a big asset for such a big sum of money will help massively with the summer’s transfer market exploits and was left in the hands of those who understand the running of a football club and the fine margins in decision-making.
Although Howe’s input in transfers last summer was largely down to a dysfunctional hierarchy with a lack of leadership, it has been very refreshing to see the club act with purpose, poise and not just allow the manager to dictate every decision.
A shift in power balance
The concerning state of Newcastle United’s Premier League campaign is no secret, and some insecurity around Howe’s job has risen as a result.
That feels as if it may have been the catalyst for taking some of the power away from Howe in terms of decisions moving forward.
All of the murmurings ahead of the summer transfer window suggest that Newcastle have a new recruitment focus and strategy in place, one that will stray away from targeting Premier League-proven players and one that will see some younger talent signed.
Those two things alone are a big indication that Howe maybe doesn’t have the same say as he has had previously.
Whilst there has been vocal backing for Howe’s continuation at the helm, the meeting between the higher-ups and the manager last month felt like one where Howe was told how the club will be run moving forward, rather than debating the best course of action.
And that has already begun to show itself in the transfer dealings to this point. Of course, Howe will have to approve the signings made before the club goes and spends money.
But there is a growing suspicion that the say he has over those signings is far less than it has been in previous windows, and the club could be preparing for the possibility of a life without him if he doesn’t fall in line and results don’t improve.
