‘The word irretrievable isn’t really in my dictionary’ – Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak situation | OneFootball

Eddie Howe has given a wide ranging interview ahead of the new season, with of course Alexander Isak being part of that conversation.

An excellent piece as Matthew Syed of The Times has been allowed behind the scenes at the Newcastle United training ground, watching Eddie Howe at work with the players.

Well worth reading the whole interview but this small extract below gives us great insight into the Head Coach’s mindset when dealing with the Alexander Isak ‘situation’.

Eddie Howe saying that as things stand, Alexander Isak is of course unavailable to him. However, the United boss says he certainly thinks the situation is retrievable and that with time passing, the outlook can change.

As we all know, for there to be any chance of an Alexander Isak move happening, Liverpool would have to make an acceptable bid that is up to some £40m higher than the derisory £110m that was offered weeks ago AND Newcastle United will need to sign two strikers.

Liverpool have shown zero indication that they are willing to make a credible offer and whilst Yoane Wissa is expected to arrive as Callum Wilson’s replacement, finding a suitable replacement for Alexander Isak at this point looks…unlikely.

In 17 days time the transfer window will close and as that ticks down, the chances of Isak leaving this summer must be similarly decreasing day by day.

As this interview makes clear though, by far the most important person at Newcastle United is very obvious and it isn’t Alexander Isak.

Just how lucky are we to have Eddie Howe?

Eddie Howe talking to Matthew Syed from The Times – 14 August 2025:

‘Howe takes a deep breath as we sit down for lunch after he has debriefed his coaching staff. This has been an unusually challenging summer at a club who do not have either a sporting director or a chief executive officer, which has meant that Howe — already the presiding figure at the club — has been stretched further than ever. And, of course, looming over everything has been the shadow of the “Isak situation”, the phrase everyone at the club has taken to using, not to mention Newcastle fans about the future of their star striker. “He’s such a terrific player,” I say rather tritely of Alexander Isak. “Is the situation irretrievable?”

“The word irretrievable isn’t really in my dictionary,” Howe replies. “I think communication is going to be the key. At the moment, we are in a position where he is not available but I’d like to think that we will be able to reassess as the situation develops further. I think that he will always recognise that this is a very special team and a very special club. It’s been a tough period because a lot of the media attention has been negative, which is difficult on the players.

“The narrative spreads. We are trying to challenge that and to say to the squad, ‘We are OK.’ Yes, we are currently minus one massive player but we don’t yet know how that situation will change. But everyone here is fully committed and that is great.”

Can you find someone to replace Isak during what remains of the transfer window, I wonder? “We have a bit of time,” Howe says. “The issue we have is that we haven’t just lost Alex [Isak] but also Callum Wilson from last season so we are definitely actively looking to recruit. We have a really good recruitment team but as you know we are missing a few key appointments [the absence of a CEO and director of football] so it’s been a challenge. Our recruitment at the club has so far been really strong.’’

I can’t help wondering if it is difficult to fully focus on training sessions with so much happening off the pitch. “You make a good point. It is probably true that the bigger impact can be had elsewhere but all I can control is here,” he says. “I have to make sure that my mind is absolutely focused on the 25 players who need my love, care and attention rather than players who we haven’t actually signed yet. As a coach, one of the most important parts of my job is to get the best out of every single player and to improve them as much as I can. That is what I love doing.”