Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has insisted he can not but be talked of in the identical breath as celebrated predecessors Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson.
Howe has vastly enhanced his popularity since being appointed to the hotseat at St James’ Park by the cub’s new Saudi-backed house owners in November 2021 and overseeing a dramatic change in fortunes.
Inside 18 months, the 45-year-old had guided the Magpies to a primary home cup remaining in 24 years and secured a top-four Premier League end enjoying an exhilarating model of soccer, an achievement akin to these of Keegan and Robson throughout their respective tenures.
Because of this, he has received an analogous place within the affections of followers, though requested if he recognised the comparability, Howe stated: “No. For me personally, I don’t see that. I’ve obtained so, a lot to do to even be talked of in the identical breath as these folks.
“Once I watched Sir Bobby’s documentary, which I believed was a tremendous factor to observe, it hits you, his profession and what he did and the way he acted, simply all the pieces about his character and the legacy that he’s left right here.
“It was a very highly effective factor to observe, I believed, and I actually, actually loved it, so no, I’ve obtained loads to do.
“The drive is to attempt to do in addition to you may. I don’t decide it by what they achieved – they’re totally different occasions.
“They did their greatest for the soccer membership once they have been right here they usually achieved some unbelievable issues, and I’ll attempt to do my greatest for the soccer membership each short-term and long-term whereas I’m right here. That’s all I can do.
“The end result would be the end result. Clearly I hope it’s optimistic, I hope folks will look again on it fondly. That’s all I want.”
Newcastle face Liverpool on Sunday in a fixture which at all times rekindles reminiscences of the epic 4-3 defeat at Anfield in April 1996 which dented their title cost underneath Keegan.
His so-called Entertainers set the benchmark for subsequent generations and simply as Robson did, Howe is eager to breed a method of play which excites supporters.
He stated: “I stated very early in my tenure right here that to be in comparison with The Entertainers is a large praise as a result of we wish to entertain, not essentially as a substitute of profitable as a result of we’re right here to win, however to entertain as effectively.
“We’re determined for our supporters to come back to the stadium after which go away with that feeling that they can not look forward to subsequent week, with that feeling of, ‘What’s the staff going to point out in the present day?’.
“These type of feelings are actually optimistic and we wish to go away lasting reminiscences. I would like my gamers to be remembered eternally, to turn into legends of the soccer membership. That’s one thing I would like for them.”
