Eddie Howe has moved to calm concerns over the future of Newcastle United, insisting the club’s Saudi owners remain fully committed despite the decision by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to end its financial backing of LIV Golf after the 2026 season.
The reassurance comes following growing speculation about the kingdom’s wider sports investment strategy after PIF announced it would discontinue funding for the controversial LIV Golf project, reportedly worth billions of dollars, as part of broader economic and investment realignments.
Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League clash against Brighton, Howe revealed he recently held meetings with senior Saudi officials at Matfen Hall, including PIF Governor and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
According to Howe, the discussions addressed both the club’s current struggles on the pitch and its long-term ambitions, but he stressed that the owners’ commitment to Newcastle has not changed.
“The desire is unchanged to try and get to the top of the Premier League and win as many trophies as possible,” Howe said. “As long as PIF are the owners, I don’t think that ambition will change. They remain very ambitious for the football club.”
The Saudi-backed consortium currently holds an 85 percent stake in Newcastle United and continues to push ahead with long-term infrastructure projects, including plans for stadium redevelopment and training ground expansion.
However, Howe’s comments come during a difficult period for the club. Newcastle have slipped to 14th place in the Premier League following a poor run of results, losing four consecutive league matches and suffering nine defeats in their last 12 outings.
The club also endured disappointment in Europe after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by FC Barcelona.
Despite recent successes under Howe, including qualification for the Champions League and ending the club’s lengthy trophy drought with a League Cup triumph last season pressure has continued to mount on the manager amid the current downturn in form.
“You can talk as much as you want, but ultimately the proof is in the performances and results,” Howe admitted. “The club needs to see progress and positive direction, and I understand that completely.”
While PIF’s withdrawal from LIV Golf signals a shift in some areas of Saudi Arabia’s global sports investments, Newcastle is still reportedly viewed as a key long-term asset within the kingdom’s sporting portfolio.
Howe also pointed to ongoing structural projects around the club as evidence that the owners remain focused on sustained growth beyond short-term results.
For now, Newcastle’s immediate priority will be regaining momentum in the closing stages of the 2025/26 campaign as Howe attempts to rebuild confidence within the squad ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
