Callum Wilson has opened up about the final months of his time at Newcastle United, revealing a private disagreement with Eddie Howe over his future after football. Wilson’s five-year spell on Tyneside came to an end this past summer when his contract expired, allowing him to leave as a free agent.
He eventually joined West Ham United on a free transfer, but the former Magpies striker’s thoughts on what comes next for him go far beyond simply switching clubs.
Before completing his move to London, Wilson spent time in the United States working as a pundit for DAZN during the inaugural Club World Cup. There, he was able to step back and reflect on his career and the next steps in his life.
Despite turning 34 before the current season ends, Wilson confirmed he still has the hunger to compete at the highest level, although he has no immediate plans to follow a coaching or managerial path.
Wilson revealed that Eddie Howe, with whom he shared a close professional relationship dating back to their time at Bournemouth, had suggested he consider moving into coaching or management once his playing days are over.
“In one of our last conversations, Eddie said, ‘One day you should become a manager or coach,’ because he’d seen me become a leader,” Wilson explained. While he appreciated Howe’s confidence in his abilities, Wilson was honest about his own ambitions. “I don’t feel it, and I’m not hungry for it I wouldn’t want to do something that I don’t enjoy. When I eventually hang up my boots, I’ll probably give a lot of time to my family because of the sacrifices.”
Instead, Wilson sees other ways to stay involved in football without committing to full-time coaching. “I might do a little bit of television and maybe mentoring. It is one of the last things on my mind now. As long as I have the hunger, I will be on the pitch.”
He added that outside noise about injuries has actually become a motivator rather than a discouragement. “You hear the outside noise from people talking about injuries that is a motivation. Mohamed Salah is the same age as me. It’s almost like saying Mo is retiring.
No one would ever think that. If anything, I think I have more longevity as I have less miles on the clock, as I have missed games. You have a few dark moments when you have injury after injury, and you think, ‘Is it time?’ But the fighter in me was never going to give up.”
Wilson’s remarks highlight the mindset of a player who has consistently fought through injuries and setbacks but refuses to let them define the remainder of his career. His mentality was particularly relevant during the final weeks at Newcastle when the club faced uncertainty around their striker situation.
With Alexander Isak keen to leave and unavailable for selection, Newcastle entered the new season without a clear first-choice striker, leaving gaps in Howe’s lineup for games against Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Leeds United.
New signings such as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa eventually arrived to fill that void, but Wilson’s departure left a tangible hole that could have been avoided had he stayed. Despite this, Howe remained cautious when asked whether he might have done more to retain the experienced striker.
Speaking to the Newcastle Gazette ahead of a recent fixture against West Ham, Howe declined to entertain hypotheticals. “You can never look at hypotheticals. Any person in a leadership position would say the same thing,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what was achievable at the time rather than dwelling on “what ifs.”
Wilson’s decision to leave Newcastle was not driven by a lack of love for the club or the fans. On the contrary, his farewell at St James’ Park following the final day defeat to Everton in May was deeply emotional, with Wilson visibly moved by the reception from supporters who had followed his career closely over the past five years. It was a bittersweet moment that marked the end of a chapter defined by both triumphs and challenges.
Reflecting on his next steps, Wilson appears committed to maximizing the remaining years of his playing career. He is realistic about the physical demands but confident in his preparation and resilience.
His focus is on contributing fully on the pitch while maintaining a balance that allows him to spend quality time with family, ensuring the sacrifices made over the years are recognized and valued.
Ultimately, Wilson’s perspective provides insight into the mindset of an experienced professional navigating the final stages of a top-flight career. He remains motivated, disciplined, and ready to compete, even as discussions around coaching and management are politely set aside.
For Newcastle, his departure underscored the need for depth in the striker role, and for Wilson, it represented the beginning of a new chapter that still promises plenty of footballing action before the day comes to step away from the game.
Wilson’s journey is a reminder of the often unseen decisions and conversations that shape a footballer’s career. While Howe saw leadership and potential in coaching, Wilson chose a path defined by personal motivation and a desire to continue performing at the highest level, proving that the drive to play can often outweigh the lure of managerial titles or television opportunities.
