Eddie Howe has insisted success experienced by Newcastle United this season is not down to their financial power.
Since being purchased by a consortium controlled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in October 2021, the Toon Army have gone from relegation battlers to top-four challengers in the space of a year.
Marquee signings such as Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier have helped the club towards their aim of becoming a side competing for European places, presenting another team for Liverpool to compete with at the top end of the table.
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Speaking in October, Jurgen Klopp agreed with Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth that the Geordies have 'no ceiling', a remark which frustrated Howe, though had praise for the ex-Bournemouth coach ahead of the meeting between the teams in February.
Newcastle have spent in the region of £250million on players since their controversial takeover, though Howe has played down the suggestion his team find themselves going toe-to-toe with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United simply because of money.
“I would make the point that there are a lot of clubs with bigger budgets than us,” responded the Newcastle boss when asked if his side were competing with Manchester United on a level playing field again.
Howe added: “I’ve said all along, our success is not based on money at all. I’m seeing the work and the spirit and the togetherness of the group, what every player is giving to the cause. When a team is successful it is not down to one thing, it’s a collective and a lot of different aspects go into that. It’s the same if a team isn’t performing well, We will keep doing what we are doing.
“I don’t think it is for me to judge if we are competing with Manchester United as equals. It is not what I spend my time doing. I just make sure when we turn up we are a better team than we were the week before. That is the aim.
“You can buck that trend [of the richest clubs being the most successful.] It is possible. It is not easy to do. Team spirit, togetherness, implementing a plan. Hopefully everyone is on the same page and working harder than everyone else. It is a simple blueprint that I have always tried to use. There are ambitions for the club to grow income. It is vital we do that because of financial fair play. We are going to be restricted depending on our income. I know that is the challenge everyone at the club is trying to find answers to."
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