Newcastle insiders have firmly refuted claims of a falling-out between Eddie Howe and Lewis Hall. Chronicle Live has been informed that Hall has not submitted a transfer request and that the pair parted ways for the summer on the best of terms, despite fresh reports circulating elsewhere.
Howe’s relationship with the left-back remains “very good” and that no dispute has taken place behind closed doors. Hall was omitted from the England squad by Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel, with Djed Spence, Tino Livramento and Nico O’Reilly all preferred ahead of him.
At the end of the season, Howe admitted that missing out on the squad was a “big disappointment” for Hall, who is said to be looking for a move away as a result. Newcastle will not be competing in Europe nexts eason.
Howe said: “My reaction to that was feeling for Lewis. To support him and talk to him and help him really.
“He is an outstanding player, he is so young and he’s got such a lot of his career ahead of him. You don’t want it to have a negative impact.
“I don’t think it will, I think he is very strong mentally. It was a big disappointment for him.”
Having opted for Spence, Tuchel elaborated on his reasoning, despite having cast his eye over Hall on two occasions in the spring, with the England boss stating: “He [Spence] was excellent in every match he played for us.
“He suffers from a third change of coach at his club, since then he doesn’t get a lot of minutes. He suffers from the situation, is part of the situation at Tottenham.
“He loves defending, he’s the fastest player in our squad, and he loves defending one-on-ones. That’s what makes him a special full-back for us. He can play both sides.
“Before the March camp we said ‘you don’t get the minutes [with Spurs]’ if you come here you have to prove yourself again. And Djed and Tino were excellent against Uruguay. That was the decision I could really trust him.”