Newcastle boss Eddie Howe gets backing from key club chief as behind-the-scenes dispute with transfer guru grows

NEWCASTLE chief executive Darren Eales has backed Eddie Howe in his dispute with new sporting director Paul Mitchell.

The pair have clashed over transfers and the team’s playing style since Mitchell was appointed in July, with Eales understood to have given his full support to Toon boss Howe.

And an interview published yesterday in which Mitchell criticised the recruitment and scouting departments is believed to have inflamed the existing tensions.

His failure to say that Newcastle would fight to keep hold of Howe if he is offered the England job also raised eyebrows at the club.

One source questioned if all three could continue working together.

Howe and Mitchell are believed to have got off on the wrong foot in July.

A meeting between Mitchell and the players also went badly, while several members of Howe’s coaching staff also expressed concerns at his combative approach.

Howe has been a huge success at Newcastle, saving them from relegation before achieving Champions League qualification in his second season.

However, he has had a difficult summer and was unimpressed by Mitchell’s transfer dealings.

He failed to sign No 1 target Marc Guehi or the right winger Howe requested.

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Howe has privately expressed frustration at the limited incomings  — while Mitchell blamed the manager for his inflexibility over targets.

Despite the off-field struggles, Newcastle have started their Premier League campaign with seven points out of nine.

They kicked off with a 1-0 victory against Southampton, before drawing 1-1 with Bournemouth.

Howe's men then went into the international break with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Tottenham at St James' Park.