Dubravka Accuses Howe of Broken Promises
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka has expressed his feelings of betrayal towards manager Eddie Howe.
Dúbravka was on the verge of relocating to Saudi Arabia in December 2024, but Newcastle halted the transfer at the last minute, subsequently presenting him with a new contract.
He has since disclosed that Howe had initially consented to his departure. However, a setback involving Nick Pope’s injury changed the team’s approach.
Newcastle Prevented Dubravka’s Move in 2024
Following Newcastle’s plea for him to remain and the offer of a new contract, Dúbravka was pleased to continue with the club, which was his top preference. Nonetheless, despite securing the new contract, he found himself benched by Howe, leading to confusion. According to him, this prompted some uncomfortable discussions with the manager.
Dúbravka Reflects on His Situation with Howe
“I said ‘goodbye’ to everyone and then talked to the gaffer, who promised to call me the next day, which left me puzzled,” Dúbravka shared with media sources. “I had plans to travel to Riyadh the next day. When he called, he explained that it wouldn’t be sensible to let me go due to it being a semi-final and Nick not being available.”
“I returned on Friday and played against Bromley the following day. After that match, the club approached me with a new contract offer. Financially, the Saudi deal was unmatched, but my heart was set on Newcastle, and I felt grateful to stay.”
“The agreement became official on Thursday, only for Eddie to drop me on Saturday. I was taken aback by this decision, having just committed to the club when I could have chosen a more financially secure option in Saudi Arabia. Our conversation afterward was not pleasant.”
Dúbravka believes he could have had a comfortable future in Saudi Arabia, but Newcastle’s choices have left him feeling sidelined without adequate playing time.
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