Eddie Howe knew the day he took the Newcastle United job that pressure was always going to be the price on the ticket at St James' Park. However, he feels that under the Saudi-backed regime he agreed to work with last November, that there is little chance of any knee-jerk reactions from those at the top.
Even when Howe won just one of his first nine games in charge and suffered a shock defeat against Cambridge, club supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan simply offered more support last January. As United fans celebrate a successful first year in charge under new owners, Howe spoke of the club's layers of support on and off the field.
He said: "It's hugely important because, without those structures in place, the long-term success isn't going to happen. First of all, you need good people in the right positions with a long-term plan and they need the freedom to execute that.
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"Everyone is under pressure but not consistent pressure every day because you have to make the right decisions for the long-term. There's a lot of work going on behind-the-scenes to improve everything that we deliver for our current players and the players we'll have as we continue to exist. I'm very positive about the future."
Howe's own one-year anniversary as boss comes around on November 8. That day he took on the job and brought with him his backroom team of Steve Purchess, Jason Tindall and Daniel Hodges.
But he had to rely on his team in his first match in charge against Brentford after being struck with Covid.
He said: "It still lives with me today. "That 90 minutes was the most stressful 90 minutes I've ever had. I was out of contact with my team and even trying to communicate with the coaching team was incredibly difficult.
"You're reactive to things which are happening and you're picking it up minutes after it has happened. I have to give credit to my coaching team and the players as it was an important point for us, looking back with hindsight.
"At the time, it may have been two points dropped but I think was one gained, with three goals scored and a very good atmosphere."
