On November 8th 2021, Newcastle United took a great leap – and the rest, as they say, is history.
“He is a great fit for what we are trying to build here,” then co-owner Amanda Staveley insisted as ex-Bournemouth head coach Eddie Howe was unveiled as the man to, at first, keep United in the Premier League. What the club were indeed trying to build long-term was a team capable of challenging for, and hopefully winning, trophies.
From one important date to another. March 16th 2025. 1,224 days after that strong Staveley message – it is mission complete.
For Liverpool, the Carabao Cup was low on their priority list come beginning of the season, while fans in the north east would have given you their arm for the so-called ‘Mickey Mouse’ cup. Howe himself has never given it anything but his full attention.
Staveley, now an ex-Newcastle employee, was in the stands at Wembley Stadium to witness the boss go all the way as Howe’s men emerged 2-1 victors on the day. Invited as a guest of honour by the club she helped transform before her 2024 departure, how she must have wished she was on the pitch, as she so often used to be, showing her appreciation to Howe in the initial moments after the historic win.
Had things been different, Newcastle may have appointed now-Aston Villa boss Unai Emery back in late 2021. In the Spaniard, they would undoubtedly have hired a European specialist, capable of taking the north east outfit to a new level.
Instead, they went with a man who, prior to arriving at St James’ Park, had only managed his beloved Bournemouth twice either side of a short and unsuccessful stint at Burnley. There had been no Premier League title challenges or European jaunts for the young coach. Only multiple promotions and attempts to keep the Cherries in the top flight.
Yet what Howe may lack in relative experience, he makes up for in sheer dedication. His days start at 6am, where he is the first at the club’s Benton training base. Opponents are meticulous scrutinised, no training sessions ever repeated and defeats watched on replay in full, more than once, to spot what went wrong – and how it can be rectified.
He is a father figure off the pitch, capable of an arm round of the shoulder. In private he can be a pitbull; tough and savage. He will also seek to defend his group whenever they are under attack from outside forces.
Those players who he so often goes into battle for publicly repaid that faith on Sunday evening, pushing Howe to the front of the celebrations with the trophy as fans draped in black and white chanted his name. He is a shy man, who does not often take credit when Newcastle are doing well, but it is hard to conclude anything other than the fact he was really, really enjoying the spotlight for a change as he bounced around with the Carabao Cup above his head.
“First and foremost he wants to know how you are as a person rather than as just a footballer, that’s what sets him above other managers I’ve worked under,” goalscorer Dan Burn told Newcastle’s official website recently. Sean Longstaff added that he ‘loves Howe so much’.
Howe’s journey started in the depths of English football. Now, at the age of just 47, he is at the summit. A future England manager for sure, once he is done winning as much as he can on Tyneside.
“I said when I arrived that my dream was to win something for this club,’ said Howe in the crushing moments after the 2023 defeat. “Without a doubt, that is a huge driver for me and the players.
“You want to leave your mark in a positive way, because Newcastle will live on for many years and you want to be remembered as someone who cared about the club and who left it in a better replace than when you entered.”
Consider that mark left. Eddie Howe, in the history books forever, immortalised on Tyneside.
Newcastle United Carabao Cup WINNERS 2024/25
At last, Newcastle have their hands on silverware!
After an agonising 56-year wait, the Magpies’ amazing army of fans can celebrate watching their side lift a trophy after their Carabao Cup final win. And to celebrate, the Newcastle Chronicle have produced this souvenir special, marking the Wembley triumph.
It is packed full of reaction, analysis and quotes as well as amazing pictures from the day, and a centre-spread poster.
It is the perfect souvenir of an historic day for Newcastle.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in the North East from March 20, 2025.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/amanda-staveley-vow-comes-true-31212665
