New Delhi: Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe believes the current spending rules in football are “not right.” Speaking on Simon Jordan’s Up Front podcast, Howe explained his frustration with how the rules forced Newcastle to sell young talents like Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh during the summer transfer window. Both players left for over £30m each to Nottingham Forest and Brighton, respectively.
Howe admitted feeling uneasy about the situation. He said it was difficult to let go of Anderson, an academy product Newcastle had nurtured from a young age, and Minteh, a promising prospect. “Why are we doing this? This doesn’t feel right,” he remarked.
Although Howe understands the concept of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), he feels their implementation is flawed.
Last season, Nottingham Forest and Everton were punished for breaching PSR, highlighting the strict enforcement of these regulations.
While the rules aim to ensure financial fairness, Howe argues they limit clubs like Newcastle from progressing consistently. He noted that clubs must balance their books by selling players, even when they don’t want to.
Eddie Howe on PSR rules 🗣️“It’s getting more and more difficult for a club like #NUFC to break into the big six. I’m a believer that anything is possible and Leicester proved that if you get everything right, in a one-off season you can do unbelievable things.
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/C6RSCr9NAO
— Jordan Cronin (@jordancronin_) December 5, 2024
Adding to the challenge, Newcastle opposed changes to Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules, which regulate sponsorship deals with affiliated companies.
Howe believes these rules restrict clubs from realising their full potential. Newcastle’s 2021 Saudi-backed takeover made them the wealthiest football club, but spending limitations under PSR have curbed their ambitions.
Howe criticised the impact on player transfers, which he feels are an essential part of football’s excitement. “It was supposed to do one thing but has turned into something completely different,” he said.
While acknowledging Leicester City’s 2015-16 Premier League triumph as proof that smaller clubs can succeed, Howe admitted that sustaining such success is nearly impossible under the current rules.
For Howe, the spending restrictions need revision to ensure fairness while allowing clubs to aim high without being hindered by financial regulations.
Howe argues spending restrictions limit football’s excitement and make sustained success nearly impossible for ambitious clubs. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
