Former Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi has attracted criticism in his current role at the club but retains the support of Eddie Howe.
Ameobi, who made 398 appearances for Newcastle United between 2000 and 2014, is now in charge of the loan department at St James’ Park.
Newcastle fans have been unhappy with some of Ameobi’s decisions, with young players who have been sent out on loan sometimes struggling.
This season, all of Antonio Cordero, Joe White, Trevan Sanusi and Travis Hernes have struggled for convincing game time. While there’s only so much Ameobi can do when players have left the club, there perhaps should be more thought into where exactly these young talents are heading.
A loan move is only beneficial in the right environment and not many Newcastle youngsters have been provided with one. Yankuba Minteh thrived at Feyenoord but he’s perhaps the only one in recent memory to have significantly benefitted from a loan spell away from the club.
Still, Howe has been full of praise for Ameobi.
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Eddie Howe praises Shola Ameobi at Newcastle United
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Fulham, the Newcastle United manager was asked to name a few players in the club’s history that he would like to manage.
Naturally, Howe went for the legendary Alan Shearer. Still, he also named Shay Given and Ameobi after getting to know the two during his time in charge on Tyneside.
Speaking about Ameobi in particular, Howe said: “I can’t forget Shola.
“Because these are people that I’ve got relationships with. What a guy.
“Shola is an unbelievable person. Of course, I know the person not the player so much.
“Although I have played an end-of-season-game with him and he did alright. He did okay up there even though his legs are going a little bit. But I’d loved to have had the experience of coaching Shola and he scored big goals in games for the club.”
Shola Ameobi job role explained after Newcastle United reshuffle
Back in July, The Chronicle revealed that Ameobi would keep his role in Newcastle’s loan department despite the promotion of Jack Ross.
Ross is now Newcastle’s Head of Football Strategy and part of his remit also comes within the loan department.
Ameobi, however, continues in his role and reports to Ross as his boss. Ameobi is also a club ambassador and represents Newcastle at various overseas events run by the Premier League.
Ameobi was appointed as Newcastle’s first-ever loan manager in 2019 and is assisted in his role by former teammate Peter Ramage.
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