Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell have reportedly held clear-the-air talks amid civil war at the club.
Tensions at St James Park have risen in recent weeks after the club failed to sign top target Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace
Mitchell gave an interview in which he criticised the club’s recruitment during the summer transfer window.
Howe went on to reveal there had been no contact between the pair since Mitchell’s controversial interview on September 4, in which some of his comments about recruitment were not well received inside the club.
According to The I, the head coach and sporting director have held constructive dialogue since Friday.
Eddie Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell have reportedly held clear-the-air talks
Mitchell gave an interview in which he criticised the club’s recruitment during the summer transfer window
There’s now confidence behind the scenes at Newcastle that any differences the pair have has been ‘ironed out’ and the club can ‘move forward’.
Howe confirmed on Friday he’d had a conversation with a senior board member this week – chief executive Darren Eales has been spotted at the training ground – and the Magpies boss called for unity to help results on the pitch.
‘I think the club is unified, I don’t see any issues,’ he said. ‘It depends where you’re talking about that unification, but the unification between me, the players, the supporters and the board is really strong.’
Asked whether had had spoken to Mitchell, the Newcastle boss responded: ‘I’m not going to go there. I’m not going into it every week in terms of our contact. But collaboration, as I said last week, is what we’re looking to do to take the club forward.’
He added: ‘Just so people know, I’ve had conversations with senior members of the board this week. So I’m in regular communication with them, trying to collaborate and work together for the benefit of the club. That’s always in my heart and that will always be while I’m manager of the club.’
Howe previously stated that he was happy when working with his players, and he reiterated: ‘I’m really happy, as I’ve said many, many times. I’m enjoying the work with the players. I love the group that we have.
‘I really do enjoy coming into work to plan training and to execute training with them. I think we are on a journey together. I hope that journey can stay.’
Newcaslt e’s bright start to the season was hampered on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat away to Fulham.