Eddie Howe rubbishes Richard Keys’ call for Newcastle to move training ground to London

Eddie Howe has shut down the notion of Newcastle United building their training ground in London after Richard Keys suggested the outlandish idea on beIN SPORTS.

The Newcastle boss addressed the bizarre speculation ahead of his side’s home game against Aston Villa this weekend.

“I didn’t know about that rumour,” said Howe, via Sky Sports. “No, I heard that – but for me, it is an absolute non-starter. We are playing for Newcastle, working for Newcastle, and we will be in Newcastle in my opinion. And that’s how it has to be.

“We’re very proud to be associated with this city. I think it’s a brilliant place to live. Even if you take away the football side – my evidence of being here, around the people.

“I think you’ve got to embrace everything about the city to play and give your best for the club. So, that will never change in my opinion.”

Howe fielded a question regarding the Magpie’s potential move of training facilities following comments from TV pundit, Richard Keys.

Richard Keys claims that Newcastle need to move training ground to London

Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Keys suggested that the Toon move their facilities down to the capital in order to attract star players.

“The core stays in Newcastle. Everything connected to the football club [stadium etc] stays on Tyneside,” reasoned Keys, quoted via Chronicle Live. “But you don’t see the first-team squad out on the town these days, so what difference would be moving to London make?

“They are on a plane probably two or three days a week, travelling to different places. So, why not?

“For the family, London offers enormously more. The capital is a place where players could lose themselves, there is a lot more privacy, and they can enjoy the fruits of a capital city.

“There’s so much more. Entertainment, meals, restaurants… Outside of the capital city, the facilities aren’t perhaps as grand or appealing.”

Keys’ suggestions for Newcastle will surely be unpopular with the Magpies faithful. Also, thankfully, the club has made zero plans to move their facilities from the north-east – although they are taking steps to re-develop them.

Ownership’s development plans

When the Saudi Public Investment Fund bought Newcastle in October 2021, the new owners immediately made plans to upgrade the club. This was both off and on the pitch in the Magpie’s case.

Club director, Amanda Staveley called the current Newcastle training ground, Darsley Park, “really awful”.

It, therefore, joined the list of places which the owners wanted to improve, alongside the stadium and academy facilities.

Upgrades at the current training complex include hydrotherapy pools and changing room modifications.

In addition, medical rooms will get a new lease of life, as will the video presentation room.

But despite the work on the existing centre, Newcastle still have plans to move to a brand new training ground in the future.

Per Newcastle World, a new facility at Gosforth Park could be on the cards as the board look to keep pace with the rapid on-pitch improvement.

Newcastle has had an excellent start to 2022/23. They are currently sitting fourth in the table.

Eddie Howe has built a high-quality product on the pitch, while the results begin to gain traction, too.

With investment in both the team and the wider club, the future is looking bright for the St James’ Park faithful.

Featured image credit: Getty