Eddie Howe (left) and Liverpool flop Alexander Isak.placeholder image
Eddie Howe (left) and Liverpool flop Alexander Isak. | Getty Images
Alexander Isak infamously burned all of his bridges with Newcastle United supporters by joining Liverpool.
Eddie Howe has stayed coy when asked whether Alexander Isak’s controversial Liverpool move tarnished his Newcastle United legacy.
Just six months ago, the Swede had iconic status cemented at St James’ Park. Everyone who leads the line and scores goals in black-and-white stripes is revered on Tyneside - but Isak did so in a cup final.
His strike against Liverpool helped Newcastle break a 70-year domestic trophy curse, with Geordie pandemonium erupting around Wembley. However, a bitter exit saw Isak down tools over the summer, refusing to train or play for the Magpies to pursue a British record move.
Eddie Howe swerves Alexander Isak question
For most Newcastle fans, Isak is now persona non grata, with all of his bridges burned. The 26-year-old suffered a broken leg against Tottenham Hotspur last week and there was little sympathy from Toon circles to the news.
While reflecting on the Carabao Cup win, Howe was asked whether he believes Isak’s reputation at Newcastle has been ruined. Unsurprisingly, he preferred to focus on the moment that helped get the Magpies over the line.
“I'd probably just look at that individually in the moment, and the moment is a really special one for the football club and Alex played his part in the season,” Howe told Sky Sports. “You look at him as a footballer and he's an incredible footballer, he can do things that I've not seen many others do. And I think the thing I love about that goal for him is just (how) deadly (it was).”
Eddie Howe on Carabao Cup emotion
Howe also opened up about the emotion of the cup triumph and what it meant for those working within the club. He added “It was an emotional moment for everybody. A lot of the staff have been associated with the club for so many years, and it's such an unusual club in that respect.
“You've got people who have been there 30, 40 years and the supporters have been such a long way. You couldn't help not being emotional in that moment. It's the moment everyone's dreamed of and we finally got there.”
‘Geordies have a unique outlook’ - Eddie Howe
On his four-year journey in the North East, Howe said: “Geordie's have a unique outlook on life and it's one that I would recommend to anybody. Positive, even in difficult moments, and always believing that there's something better around the corner.
“The decision to come here for me was the right one on day one and I don't say that just to sound good. When you come to a new city, a new club, I think you get a feeling. The feeling hits you, whether it's on day one or a few days.
“We feel at home. We feel able to express ourselves in a good way. We feel able to work. We love the players that we had, so there was that feeling straight away. But bviously, you need to be successful for it to work, because people will look at you and think ‘What are you bringing?’
“So the fact that we've been able to do that, and other things along the way has meant so much to us. Now it's about the future. It's about what else we can achieve and I'd certainly like to be looking at more of these (cup wins) in the future.”
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