Newcastle United have said farewell to some loyal servants over the summer, just as Eddie Howe warned they would at the end of last season. The Magpies boss knew he would have to trim his bloated squad during the window, which meant axing players who have spent many a year on Tyneside.
Clark, Hayden, Dwight Gayle, Jeff Hendrick and Federico Fernandez have all departed in recent weeks after failing to break into Howe's plans in the last 11 months. While they may not have impressed on the pitch of late, the Newcastle manager has continuously praised their actions behind the scenes.
"It's difficult to speak about individuals, but I'm sure, for some of my players, it may well be an emotional experience," Howe told reporters after the last game of the season. "I'm very much in the mindset that we have to be very appreciative of everybody's efforts to our success this season in terms of the position we were in to where we are now.
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"Everyone has played their part in that, whether they have participated on the pitch or not. I look at Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden and Jamal Lewis, who were not in the 25-man squad, but their attitude to that disappointment has been incredible."
Hayden's exit didn't come as a shock to most fans but was still an emotional one for the St. James' Park faithful after his service to the club. Speaking to Chronicle Live, the player admitted he felt it was the right time to move on, despite his love for the Magpies.
Fernandez was the last experienced head out the door on deadline day, joining Spanish side Elche on a permanent deal. The central defender arrived on Tyneside for a meagre £6m and went on to feature 89 times for the first-team.
His minutes have been limited in recent months but his dressing room influence hasn't waned at all. Fernandez, along with the likes of Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett, have been seen by Howe as vital figures to have in and around the club - even when not playing.
Addressing Fernandez's deadline day move, Howe said: "What a professional. Great guy and can't speak highly enough of him and the contribution he's given to the football club. Unfortunately he's picked up a couple of injuries so we haven't seen too much of him on the pitch but behind the scenes he's been incredible and he goes with our best wishes."
As the likes of Fernandez and Hayden bid farewell, the onus of dressing room leadership falls on the shoulders of Callum Wilson, Jonjo Shelvey, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles - along with Dummett and Ritchie while they remain at the club.
Howe has made it clear he has no intention of ripping the dressing room apart and filling it with superstars in the short-term. Newcastle have kept their wage structure intact this summer and as such the team spirit remains as high as ever.
Newcastle supporters are generally happy with the club's transfer business in recent months and Howe himself now has a good balance between exciting raw talent, youthful energy and experienced figureheads in his ranks.
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