As expected, Eddie Howe took a host of questions on the Dan Ashworth saga during this morning’s press conference at the club’s Benton training base.
He insists the day-to-day running of the club has not been impacted by the noise around his exit after he was placed on gardening leave, saying it’s “business as usual”.
Howe refused to comment on the job Ashworth has done, but asked the club to reflect on his early departure and “make sure we’re stronger moving forward”, adding that it will not be his decision when it comes to the replacement process.
When asked if Ashworth’s exit has had an impact behind the scenes, Howe said – “The day-to-day running of the club, not at all. It’s something that has happened away from the players and the training ground. It’s business as usual for us, a normal week.
“For the club, maybe more so than me. I’m coaching the players every day so it’s not affected me at all. But obviously at the club things have changed and they have to make decisions they didn’t know they’d have to make.”
Howe was then asked about the job Ashworth has done during his short-lived spell on Tyneside. He said, “I don’t think that’s something I should be looking at, that’s for other people to. As a football club, we’ve got to reflect on and make sure we’re stronger going forward.”
“That’s not my decision,” he added when asked about a replacement. “The club will sit down, analyse everything that has happened to this point and try to find the right balance going forward.
“I have my own opinions and I will express those to the club at the right time because it’s about making effective decisions and running the football club in the best way we can.”
Howe on was then asked about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments this week, where he called the prospect of Ashworth remaining on gardening leave “absurd” and “stupid” following reports of our £20m demands.
“I don’t think I can respond to that. I don’t think that’s for me. I’m not involved in those discussions and I’ll stay well away.
“It is for other people to make those decisions, I’m not involved in that in any way, shape or form. I’m preparing the team to play Arsenal.”
