The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has outlined how Newcastle United expect to address a looming leadership gap as senior figures such as Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles near the end of their time at the club.
Responding to a fan’s question in a recent mailbag, Waugh said the issue of leadership is already being recognised internally.
“It’s such an important point about leadership and one which often gets overlooked,” Waugh wrote.“In recent weeks, when Newcastle have had difficult moments, there have not been on-field generals like Dan Burn and Trippier trying to rally their team-mates and provide in-game guidance.”
Looking ahead to the summer, Waugh expects significant turnover among the club’s veteran core.
“By the summer, I do expect Trippier and Lascelles to have departed,” Waugh wrote. “It is not beyond the realms of possibility other senior figures have been moved on, too, or at least the likes of Burn and Nick Pope may no longer be regular starters anymore, though both will believe they can and will be.”
In terms of incoming transfers, Waugh said Newcastle are unlikely to abandon their youth-focused strategy, but there is an awareness that balance is required.
“Primarily, Newcastle hope to continue their recruitment policy of signing players under the age of 24, but some at the club feel it is important to also bring in more senior operators alongside to provide experience at key moments,” Waugh wrote. “The recruitment of Burn and Trippier in that first January window remains some of the best post-takeover business Newcastle have conducted.”
Internally, there is also an expectation that leadership must increasingly come from within the current squad rather than solely through new signings.
“Beyond that, Howe is keen for new leaders to emerge beyond the present ‘leadership group’ and has been empowering his squad,” Waugh wrote. “Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, Lewis Hall and Miley are the kind of players who are gaining more prominent voices.”
Still, Waugh acknowledged the transition may not be seamless.
“Although, in the interim, there may be a concern regarding a potential ‘leadership gap’,” Waugh wrote.
