Eddie Howe insists Newcastle are committed long-term to Sandro Tonali
Eddie Howe has insisted an “emotional” Sandro Tonali has a future at Newcastle as he awaits the outcome of an investigation into alleged betting breaches. The 23-year-old Italy midfielder, who joined the Magpies from AC Milan in a £55million summer move, could face a lengthy ban as the club considers its options. However, Howe has vowed to offer all the support he can to a player he believes can play a major role in his team. Asked if Tonali has and wants a future at St James’ Park, he said: “That’s not even been discussed because that’s a yes on both sides. “We will support him and back him and we see him being part of our team for many years, and I know that’s the same back from his side to us. “There are some things I feel you don’t have to say. We are committed to him long-term.” Howe added: “The most important part of this whole incident is Sandro and his welfare. It’s very easy for people to forget how young he is, the changes he’s had in his life coming from Italy to England. He's been obviously emotional, but handled himself with respect and dignity Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe “That’s hard enough to deal with, and now he has, of course, this situation, so we as a football club straight away, it was throw our arms around him and protect him and try to give him the love and support that he needs to find solutions to the problems that he’s had. “That’s what we’re endeavouring to do with a lot of conversations, a lot of communication with him and his family, because it’s not just Sandro, it’s the people around him that are going to be so important to him as well. “I have to say, he’s handled himself superbly well. He’s been obviously emotional, but handled himself with respect and dignity.” Tonali, along with Italy team-mate Nicolo Zaniolo, is subject to investigation by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in relation to illegal betting activity. His agent Giuseppe Riso has claimed the player is dealing with a “gambling addiction” with reports from Italy suggesting he had bet on former club AC Milan winning games. Howe said: “I got a phone call from (sporting director) Dan Ashworth during the international break and it was a total surprise to me, to him, to everybody. “But these are things that can happen and my immediate thought process was for Sandro and making sure he’s okay so yeah, a difficult period for him.” Howe, who revealed Tonali has trained this week and is under consideration for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Tyneside, was more reticent when asked about the deal which brought the player to the club, and the relationship between football and gambling. When asked if the club was exploring the intricacies of the deal, he added: “I’m sure the club will be doing what the club needs to do. But from my side, I can’t comment on that because I’m not party to those conversations. “That is one for Dan and people above me to answer.” Tonali’s situation has once again highlighted the links between sport and gambling. Newcastle currently have partnerships with three betting companies, FUN88, BetMGM and Sportsbet.io. Asked if that was a concern, Howe said: “That’s a difficult one for me to comment on. My job is to coach the team, manage the team and that’s what I’ll do. It’s probably best that I stick to those subjects.” Read More The World Cup final beckons: talking points ahead of England-South Africa Mikel Arteta hails career-long support of ‘big brother’ Mauricio Pochettino Emma Raducanu to keep ‘provoking and asking questions’ of coaches on her return Rugby World Cup: How England fared in their previous semi-finals 5 past Rugby World Cup meetings between England and South Africa New England captain Jack Welsby keen to banish World Cup heartache against Tonga
2023-10-20 18:48
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Mikel Arteta hails career-long support of ‘big brother’ Mauricio Pochettino
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed Mauricio Pochettino as a “big brother” and believes he is already turning things around at Chelsea. The pair played together for a year at Paris St Germain, both arriving in 2001 and striking up a friendship that lasts until the present day. They have since gone on to become top coaches – but their meeting at Stamford Bridge on Saturday will be the first time they have faced off as opposing managers. Pochettino, 51, is 10 years older than Arteta and while they may have signed for PSG at the same time, the Arsenal boss credits the Argentinian for taking him under his wing. “First of all, it was my first professional opportunity in Paris and we arrived at the same time and lived together in a hotel for three months,” Arteta explained. “He was critical, has been one of the most influential people in my career. Firstly as a player, he took me under the arm and looked after me like a little child, a little brother, and he was a big part of the success I had in Paris. “It was because of him because he really looked after me, gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of advice. “He has been a role model for me since that day, not only when I was a player but as a manager as well, when I had to make the decision to leave playing and start my coaching career he had a big say on that and I will always be grateful.” Arteta has been in charge of Arsenal since December 2019, just a month after Pochettino was sacked as head coach at north London rivals Tottenham. Pochettino returned to the Premier League when he took the reins at Chelsea in May and, despite a turbulent start, Arteta feels his old colleague is starting to turn things around. Asked if he felt Pochettino could rise to the challenge, he replied: “Yes, you can see already that something has changed very quickly. “It’s a big game and there is a big history between the two clubs. We know the types of games we’ve played together with them in the past but this is a different one. I’ve been really impressed by Chelsea. “I think they deserve much more than what they’ve got in the table. What Mauricio has done in a short time is phenomenal. We’ll be have to be at our best.” Arteta also revealed the best advice Pochettino had offered after he had hung up his boots: “’Don’t go into coaching — it’s too hard’! “That is the first thing. I knew he was going to be a coach and I followed him very closely because as a player he was already a leader. “The way he understood the game was phenomenal. I used to have him at my back and he was constantly coaching me. Very proud of what he has done and the way he has done it through his coaching career.”
2023-10-20 17:59
