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Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has accused manager Eddie Howe of breaking his promise after the club blocked his move to Saudi Arabia in December 2024, only to drop him from the starting lineup despite offering him a new contract to stay at St James’ Park.
Dubravka Claims Howe Broke Promise After Blocking Saudi Arabia Transfer
The Slovakian international was on the verge of completing a lucrative move to the Middle East when Newcastle pulled the plug at the final moment due to Nick Pope’s injury concerns.
Dubravka revealed he had already said goodbye to teammates and was preparing to travel to Riyadh when Howe contacted him to reverse the decision, citing the upcoming FA Cup semi-final and Pope’s unavailability as key factors.
Newcastle subsequently offered Dubravka an improved contract to remain at the club, which he accepted despite the significantly lower financial package compared to the Saudi Arabian proposal.
The 35-year-old goalkeeper expressed his delight at staying with his preferred option, emphasising that Newcastle had always been his first choice despite the substantial financial sacrifice involved in rejecting the Middle Eastern opportunity.
However, Dubravka’s satisfaction turned to shock when Howe dropped him from the starting eleven immediately after signing the new deal.
The goalkeeper played against Bromley in the FA Cup third round following his return, but found himself relegated to the bench just days after putting pen to paper on Thursday.
The decision prompted uncomfortable discussions between player and manager, with Dubravka describing their post-match conversation as particularly unpleasant.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics between player loyalty and managerial decisions in modern football.
Dubravka believes he sacrificed significant financial security by choosing Newcastle over Saudi Arabia, only to find his playing opportunities limited despite the club’s apparent desperation to retain his services during Pope’s injury absence.
Speaking to The Times, Dubravka expressed his confusion and disappointment at the sequence of events, stating that the Saudi Arabian contract would have completely secured his family’s financial future.
The goalkeeper’s revelations provide insight into the behind-the-scenes negotiations that ultimately led to his departure from Tyneside and his subsequent move away from St James’ Park.
