Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has given his verdict on Eddie Howe’s work at Newcastle United.
Howe, who was appointed in 2021, has a strong case to be considered as the greatest manager Newcastle United have ever had.
Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson no doubt have their supporters in that argument and neither would be a controversial selection.
Still, the current Newcastle United manager is the man who ended the club’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the Carabao Cup back in March.
On Thursday, Howe begins his second Champions League campaign in charge of the club when his side host Barcelona.
With that in mind, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Flick has been impressed.
Hansi Flick speaking at a press conference ahead of Newcastle United vs Barcelona.
Photo by Harriet Massey/ Newcastle United via Getty Images
Hansi Flick gives Eddie Howe his seal of approval ahead of Champions League clash
Newcastle United vs Barcelona is an absolutely huge game and the Magpies will have quite the job on their hands.
Though the Spanish champions will be missing Lamine Yamal, they boast a vast array of attacking talent and warmed up for their trip to St James’ Park with a 6-0 win over Valencia.
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Flick won the La Liga title in his first season in charge of Barca, so is well-placed to comment on life as an elite manager.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the German said: “They are a tall team, very good at winning the second ball. They have grown over the last few years, Eddie Howe and his coaches have done a fantastic job.”
Hansi Flick on Newcastle United:
“I have never been here before but what I hear from my players is it’s one of the best, maybe THE best atmosphere in the Premier League.
“They are a tall team, very good at winning the second ball. They have grown oner the last few years,… pic.twitter.com/c0Cb9s0QzK
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) September 17, 2025
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What Eddie Howe has said about Hansi Flick
Howe spoke earlier than his German counterpart on Wednesday.
However, the Toon boss was unsurprisingly as complimentary about Flick when asked about the former Bayern Munich’s boss impact at the Catalan giants.
“I think he has a clear vision of how he wants his teams to play and I admire how they play and I think he’s had a brilliant career.
“So, he’s certainly a coach that I’ve got a lot of respect for.”
Thursday will be only the fifth meeting between Newcastle United and Barcelona. The Toon won their first clash thanks to Tino Asprilla’s hat-trick in 1997 but Barca have won all three subsequent meetings.