Amid an atmosphere charged with anticipation and anxiety within the corridors of St. James' Park, English coach Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, came out to defend his position and his sporting project, confirming on Monday that he still has the passion and ability to be the right person to lift the team out of its current predicament, while stressing at the same time that he would not hesitate to leave if he felt unable to achieve the desired goals.

The team, owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, is experiencing one of its most difficult periods, having suffered its third consecutive defeat in the English Premier League. The latest loss was a 2-3 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, preceded by heavy losses to Liverpool (1-4) and Manchester City (1-3). The statistics reflect the extent of the struggles, as the team has only managed one victory in its last eight matches across all competitions, placing the manager under intense scrutiny.

In a press conference ahead of the anticipated and difficult match against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday in the twenty-sixth round of competition, Howe said: "I don't think the performance was as bad as the results suggest. Statistically, we are still a strong team and we deliver competitive performances in every match, but the results certainly did not reflect that effort, especially given that the schedule of matches was very difficult.".

A history of achievements speaks in the coach's favor

To understand the context of Howe's tenure, we must go back a little, specifically to November 2021, when he took over shortly after the Saudi fund's acquisition of the club. At that time, the Magpies were battling relegation, but Howe managed to turn things around, leading the team not only to survival but also to a return to the Champions League. He capped his tenure by winning the League Cup in 2025, the first domestic title for the club in seventy years, earning him considerable favor with both the fans and the management.

Despite Newcastle currently sitting in 12th place with 33 points, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, 48-year-old Howe insists that his "inner spark" is still burning. He explained: "That feeling isn't something I assess daily; it's an inner conviction. As long as that feeling remains, I'll give it my all. If I didn't believe I was the right person, I would have stepped aside and let someone else take over.".

Squad challenges and the transfer market

The decline in results cannot be separated from the complex circumstances the team has recently faced. The club endured a turbulent summer marked by the departure of Swedish striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool following his strike, which created a significant attacking void. Despite the club's acquisition of new strikers such as Congolese forward Yoane Wissa and German forward Nick Wolltemade, they still need time to adapt to the Premier League.

The crisis is compounded by a spate of injuries that have struck key players, most recently the trio of Brazilian midfielders, captain Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, and English striker Anthony Gordon. Despite these significant absences, Howe believes the situation can be "turned around very quickly" if the team regains its balance and confidence in upcoming matches.

A state of extreme anger and resentment has gripped Portuguese coach Armando Evangelista, the technical director of the first football team at Damac Club, following strong rumors that a decision has been issued to dismiss him from coaching the team during the current period, and that he will not continue at the head of the technical leadership in the next stage of the Saudi Professional League competitions.

In a revealing detail that exposes the deep rift between the coaching staff and the management, a reliable source close to Portuguese coach Armando Evangelista confirmed in exclusive statements to "Al-Midan Al-Riyadi" that the coach feels deeply wronged, indicating that: "Evangelista had no significant role in the signings that took place during the winter transfer window last January. Players such as Mohammed Al-Salkhadhi, Okita, Nawaf Al-Saadi, Amidu Traore, and Arielson were brought in entirely by individual decisions of the club's management without consulting him or obtaining his technical approval.".

The source continued to explain the Portuguese coach's position, saying: "In fact, going back to the beginning of the season, specifically since the summer transfer window, the only signings that the coach approved were Cilla and Vada only; while all the other foreign and Saudi players arrived in the team's ranks without his approval, and therefore it is unfair to judge his work and evaluate his results when he did not get the technical tools that he asked for to compete in a league that has become characterized by unprecedented ferocity.".

On the administrative level, Damac club officials have almost definitively decided to dismiss coach Armando Evangelista from his position as the team's technical director, justifying this by the poor results and the team's noticeable decline in performance, which led to the "Knight of the South" being in the last positions in the Roshan Professional League standings, a situation that does not befit the ambitions of the club and its fans.

The context of the Roshan League competition and the impact of the decision

This crisis comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing tremendous development and a qualitative leap in terms of attracting international talent and fierce competition. With clubs packed with global stars, harmony between management and coaching staff becomes crucial for success. The phenomenon of signing players against the coach's wishes is a classic problem in football that often backfires, as the coach is unable to implement his tactical philosophy because the players' characteristics don't suit his plans.

The dismissal and its repercussions are expected to have a significant impact on Damac FC's performance for the remainder of the season. The team now urgently needs to regain its footing to escape the threat of relegation and the danger zone in the standings. The biggest challenge facing any incoming coach will be how to utilize the recently acquired players to create a winning formula, especially since the transfer window has closed, meaning they must work with the available resources to salvage the team's season.

In a tactical move reflecting a desire to bolster attacking and strategic options, Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, has called up Iraqi talent Haider Abdulkarim to join the squad traveling to face Turkmenistan's Arkadağ FC. This decision comes as part of Al-Nassr's intensive preparations for the first leg of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie, a competition the club is prioritizing this season.

The inclusion of Haider Abdulkarim reflects the confidence of the coaching staff, led by Jesus, in the young player's abilities and his capacity to make a significant contribution in a match demanding high physical and mental effort, especially given that it is an away game. By adding Abdulkarim, Jesus aims to broaden his options on the bench, anticipating any scenarios that might arise during the match against a relatively unpredictable opponent on their home ground and in front of their fans.

The importance of the match and the continental context

This match is of paramount importance to Al-Nassr, as the team seeks to secure an early victory or at least a comfortable positive result in Turkmenistan to ease the return leg in Riyadh. Al-Nassr's participation in the "AFC Champions League 2" is part of the Asian Football Confederation's new strategy aimed at raising the level of competition among the continent's clubs. This tournament serves as an important platform for Saudi clubs to reaffirm their continental dominance and add to their collection of international titles.

Challenges of facing Arkadag

Despite the technical advantages that theoretically favor Al-Nassr, facing Central Asian clubs, particularly Turkmenistani teams like Arkadağ, always presents a unique challenge. These teams are characterized by their tactical discipline and high level of physicality, in addition to the weather and pitch conditions that play a significant role in such knockout rounds. Therefore, Jesus' decision to bolster the squad with young and dynamic players like Haider Abdulkarim is a realistic assessment of the match's demands, which may require individual brilliance and pace in the second half.

Victory ambitions in the tournament

Al-Nassr enters this continental competition with its sights set on the title, bolstered by a star-studded squad and an experienced coaching staff. Al-Nassr fans consider overcoming Arkadag the first real step towards the advanced stages. It is expected that Jesus will rely on a balanced tactical approach that ensures no away goals are conceded while capitalizing on attacking opportunities. This explains why he has brought all his key players and rising talents to guarantee full readiness for this important continental challenge.