Eddie Howe has admitted that he will have to be 'ruthless' and make decisions for the 'benefit of the club' as Newcastle United prepare for what could be an emotional night at St James' Park.
Newcastle know that they only need a point against relegation-threatened Leicester City on Monday night to qualify for the Champions League in front of their own supporters. However, there is no danger of Newcastle settling for a draw. Howe's side will be desperate to sign off in style at St James' in what will be Newcastle's final home fixture in the league for three months.
Although Newcastle still have to travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on the final day, Monday night may well prove the last time a number of players and staff make their way around the pitch at St James' at full-time. Indeed, for context, Federico Fernandez, Dwight Gayle and head of goalkeeping Simon Smith were among those who took part in last season's lap of honour following the 2-0 win against Arsenal before going on to leave the club that summer.
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Smith previously told ChronicleLive he 'felt I was done if I'm being honest' after the Geordie slipped away to make his way towards the packed Gallowgate to applaud the supporters and posed for what proved to be a farewell photograph with his department.
A year on, coach analyst Mark Leyland is also moving on to take up a new position with the City Football Group, where he will manage the methodology across Man City's global conglomerate to ensure consistency in systems and approaches, and a number of players face potentially uncertain futures. It will be a case of evolution rather than revolution this summer, but Howe will not shirk some emotional calls, having previously said that 'you lose players you love' but 'sometimes it's best for the team that they have to leave'.
“As a manager, you have to be ruthless at the times you need to be," the Newcastle boss told reporters. "This may sound a bit strange but there are times you need to show loyalty and times when you have to back people. There are also times when you have to make a decision you feel is in the benefit of the club. I can wear all those hats when I need to so that is the challenge for me.”
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