Goalkeeper Dubravka Voices Frustration Over Newcastle United Exit
Martin Dubravka, a former goalkeeper for Newcastle United, has recently shared his disappointment with how his time at the club concluded, particularly focusing on his interactions with manager Eddie Howe. Dubravka, who now plays for Burnley after a seven-year stint with Newcastle, revealed that he was close to a move to Saudi Arabia in early 2025.
According to Dubravka, the opportunity to play for Al-Shabab, a Saudi Pro League club, arose in December 2024, during the final year of his contract with Newcastle. Initially, Howe had agreed to let Dubravka pursue this opportunity. However, circumstances changed when Newcastle’s primary goalkeeper, Nick Pope, sustained a knee injury.
The club then requested Dubravka to delay his departure until after the Carabao Cup semi-final match against Arsenal, scheduled for January 7. Dubravka agreed, even traveling to London with his family, having already prepared for the move to Saudi Arabia.
However, Howe then persuaded Dubravka to remain at Newcastle beyond the winter transfer window. Shortly after Dubravka signed a new contract with the club, he was dropped from the starting lineup.
Dubravka expressed his frustration, stating, “I said bye to everyone, and then I spoke to the manager to say goodbye. He told me he was going to give me a call the next day, so I was confused.”
He added, “I was going to travel to Riyadh the next day. When the manager called me, he said it doesn’t really make sense to let you go because it’s a semi-final and Nick is not back. I said, ‘You said you would let me go.’ I was still in a hotel in London. I felt ill because of the stress.”
According to Dubravka, Howe then contacted him, stating that the club could not allow him to leave due to their need for him, and offered him a new contract. Dubravka, who was already mentally prepared for the move to Saudi Arabia and had even emptied his home in Newcastle, felt conflicted.
Dubravka returned to Newcastle and played in a FA Cup third-round match against Bromley. Following the game, he discussed the situation with the club, and they offered him a new contract. While the financial terms of the Saudi Arabian contract were significantly more lucrative, Dubravka prioritized staying with Newcastle and accepted the offer.
“Everything was smooth, and we signed the deal. It was official on the Thursday, and then on the Saturday Eddie dropped me!” Dubravka exclaimed. “I didn’t expect that because I just signed a new deal with Newcastle instead of one which would completely secure my life in Saudi Arabia. I was shocked. We had a conversation after the game, and it was not a nice conversation.”
Dubravka’s comments highlight the complexities and potential frustrations that can arise in professional sports, where player expectations and club decisions sometimes clash. His story offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes negotiations and personal considerations that influence player movements and team dynamics.
