{"id":292893,"date":"2023-10-24T15:24:28","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T15:24:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=292893"},"modified":"2023-10-24T15:24:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T15:24:28","slug":"eddie-howe-and-kevin-keegan-link-up-to-discuss-newcastles-ambitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/soccer\/eddie-howe-and-kevin-keegan-link-up-to-discuss-newcastles-ambitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Eddie Howe and Kevin Keegan link-up to discuss Newcastle's ambitions"},"content":{"rendered":"
The King has met the Prince and the succession plan is now in place.<\/p>\n
Eddie Howe is not prone to public appearance, especially not 48 hours before the visit of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Just as rare was it to see him suited and shedding the second skin that is his Newcastle tracksuit.<\/p>\n
But here was an exception for what he believes is an exceptional man, and the crowds who still flock to listen to Kevin Keegan bear testament to that. Howe might well have been in the audience if not on stage.<\/p>\n
\u2018I just had to come and meet King Kev,\u2019 announced Howe, face to face with his predecessor for the first time since becoming Newcastle boss two years ago. \u2018When you\u2019re in my position, you have to understand the club you\u2019re working for and the important people in its history.<\/p>\n
\u2018Graeme Jones, one of my coaches, speaks so, so highly of you. He has explained to me what Kevin means to Newcastle. To share the stage with you is an absolute honour, so thank you.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Newcastle icons Eddie Howe (R) and Kevin Keegan (L) linked-up during a recent event<\/p>\n
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Together, they discussed Newcastle’s recent success and their potential under Howe<\/p>\n
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Howe led Newcastle to a Champions League spot last season and has managed to ensure the Magpies produced a strong start to their European campaign<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
United at the Tyne Theatre – just around the corner from St James\u2019 Park – to mark the launch of \u2018Here to Compete\u2019, a new book by Pete Graves, it felt as much like a coronation.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m watching on from a distance and just thinking, \u201cWow\u201d,\u2019 began Keegan, turning to Howe. \u2018I know what it\u2019s like in this city, I know what you\u2019re experiencing. But you keep going like this and your life will never be the same again.<\/p>\n
\u2018What\u2019s lovely about Eddie is that we\u2019ve been dying to get someone who understands what this club is, and you’ve got him now. I feel I\u2019ve got my dad\u2019s club back, it\u2019s like a new life. Your club is in fantastic hands, because this guy gets Newcastle United.\u2019<\/p>\n
Howe rang Keegan on day one in the job, but only now do we know what was said.<\/p>\n
\u2018He asked if I had any advice and I just said tell the fans what you can, be honest with them,\u2019 revealed Keegan. \u2018For years and years that\u2019s not been the case at this club.<\/p>\n
\u2018We\u2019ve had a few tough times, like the sale of Andy Cole, when you might have to go down the steps at St James\u2019\u2026 (Keegan addressed angry fans after selling Cole to Manchester United in 1995). So, I would advise you not to sell your best player and go down those stairs!<\/p>\n
\u2018But you know Eddie, you’ve got a very special club here and who knows where it might end. That’s the beauty of it. This club hasn’t won anything for such a long time. The chance is there for you now and, so far, I’ve got to say, you’re doing a fantastic job.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Keegan spent five years, between 1992-97, as Newcastle boss before briefly returning in 2008<\/p>\n
Howe took over a team in 19th and, after surviving comfortably, they finished fourth last season. They are now top of a Champions League group including Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.<\/p>\n
\u2018I knew it would be a life-changing moment,\u2019 he said, referencing Keegan\u2019s comment and revisiting his decision to take the job. \u2019Genuinely, I was like, \u201cWow, my life is never going to be the same again\u201d. It was something I had to grab. That is why I rang Kevin, because I wanted his unique insight into what the role was going to be, and what I needed to do straight away to try and generate positivity.<\/p>\n
\u2018But whenever you go into any job you need a dream, a goal. Like Kevin said, I would love to be the man who brings a trophy home for the supporters.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Howe was told by his predecessor that he can win the Champions League or Premier League<\/p>\n
Keegan, the eternal romantic, said: \u2018You could still win the Champions League, you could win it. You could still win the Premier League. You have to dream, and the supporters up here are dreaming now. That\u2019s what you\u2019ve given them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘When we did what we did with The Entertainers, it picked the whole city up. That\u2019s what it does in places like this. You don\u2019t get that in London. It happens here. I\u2019m like a supporter now, I\u2019m getting a bit crazy. I desperately want you to win something. It\u2019s not easy, but you\u2019re doing all the right things, Eddie.\u2019<\/p>\n
There was humour, too. As Howe discussed the rotation of strikers Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, Keegan cut in: \u2018I could never imagine telling Alan Shearer someone was playing instead of him. Les Ferdinand used to scare me as well, so I just decided to play the two of them!\u2019<\/p>\n
Howe was later giving credit to his team and playing down his own influence when a fan shouted: \u2018Eddie, you did it! Without you there is no team!\u2019<\/p>\n
Keegan noted: \u2019Good to see you\u2019ve got your agent at the back there.\u2019<\/p>\n
Over their shoulder, they watched together the goals from Newcastle\u2019s 4-1 dismantling of PSG this month, each greeted with a thunderous cheer. Turning back to the audience, Howe opened the invite for Keegan to return to St James\u2019, something he has never done for a game since leaving the club as manager for a second time in 2008. Would Keegan come back?<\/p>\n
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The Magpies will take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night<\/p>\n
\u2018Definitely. What I\u2019m scared of is he invites me to a game and you lose. Just keep winning and you\u2019ll be delighted I\u2019m not coming! But I do want to come back, I just don\u2019t want to infringe on what is happening. I was sitting watching the Sheffield United game and I said to Jean, \u201cLook, they\u2019re 3-0 up\u201d. Jean said, \u201cThat\u2019s eight!\u201d. My eyes are going! I said, \u201cYou\u2019re kidding me!\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n
The King then brought the curtain down on the evening. He looked close to tears.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m at the end of a phone if EVER you need me for anything,\u2019 he said, extending his hand onto the shoulder of the younger man\u2019s black suit jacket. \u2018When you win the Champions League or the Premier League and you\u2019re clear with a game to go, I\u2019ll come back then! It\u2019s your turn now, I\u2019ve had my turn. And if you enjoy it as much as I did\u2026 wow.\u2019<\/p>\n
Howe\u2019s job now is to finish the one Keegan started. Only then will he inherit the throne.<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Eddie met Kevin! Keegan and Howe – the King and Prince of Newcastle – discuss the lofty ambitions of the high-flying Magpies… and even […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":292892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n