Isaac Hayden left Newcastle in June to join Norwich, but the midfielder has admitted that he still regularly talks to Toon boss Eddie Howe.
Hayden was one of the first casualties of the summer for Newcastle, leaving St James’ Park to join the Canaries on a season-long loan deal. That move will become permanent if Norwich secure promotion back to the Premier League.
While he has only gone out on loan, it feels like Hayden’s Toon career is over. He barely featured under Howe shortly after the manager’s arrival, and then missed the second half of last season due to injury.
Now Newcastle have kicked on even further, and their midfield is a huge part of their recent form. Even if Hayden does return to the club in the summer, there is surely no chance he will get another opportunity at St James’ Park.
That is a real shame for a player who was so important for us in years gone by. Hayden was often Newcastle’s Mr Reliable, playing anywhere and everywhere and always giving his all.
The 27-year-old was extremely well liked by Toon fans, and received a plethora of kind messages after his loan exit was confirmed.
Since then, his time at Norwich hasn’t gone to plan. The midfielder has only made four appearances due to injury, while the Canaries are currently seventh in the table. They are yet to win with Hayden on the pitch.
His Norwich career is yet to get going, but Hayden is far from a forgotten man at Newcastle. In fact, he is still in regular contact with his former manager.
Hayden still talks to Howe despite exit
The former Arsenal man has spoken to the Athletic about his move from Newcastle to Norwich. And he had some very kind words to say about Howe.
“The manager is really, really good there [Newcastle],” he said.
“He has called me probably every couple of weeks, just to see how I am and how I’m getting on. He talks about the lads back there and how they’re getting on too.
“A lot of people probably think I might not like the staff that came in because I didn’t play as much as I would’ve wished. But I have nothing but great things to say about him as a person. He’s a top-level coach; probably the best I’ve had in terms of man-management.
“I was there for six years and a lot of us grew up with that club, through the Championship and into the Premier League. It got to a point where they wanted to move on and the injuries for me probably came at the wrong time.”
Class act Eddie
Given how little football Hayden played for him and how well Newcastle are doing now, it’s a surprise to hear that Howe is still in regular contact with him.
But it’s a testament to the Toon boss’ character that he still wants to know how Hayden is doing, and in turn keep him in the loop about goings on at St James’ Park.
Hayden says it himself – Howe is a great man-manager. He knows how to get the best out of players, and we have seen incredible upturns in fortunes from the likes of Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, who is in line for a new contract.
So many players have improved under Howe, and it is a shame that Hayden didn’t receive the same opportunity. As he says, injury came at the wrong time.
Hayden’s comments show what a good leader Newcastle have in Howe, and we are very lucky to have him calling the shots at such an exciting time for the club.
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