Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Harry Redknapp has opened up about making Eddie Howe and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes his first two signings at Portsmouth.
Newcastle United face the Reds tomorrow aiming to banish 70 years of hurt without domestic silverware. Greats like Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson have tried to get the Magpies over the line since Jimmy Scoular lifted the FA Cup after beating Manchester City in 1955.
Howe - who tasted defeat two years ago to Manchester United - has a chance of Wembley redemption. Ending Newcastle’s trophy curse will cement the 47-year-old as a Tyneside great but his team go into the clash as underdogs against runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Speaking before the clash, former Bournemouth, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur manager Redknapp highlighted how much silverware would mean to “fantastic” Newcastle fans. Thousands of Toon supporters are set to descend on the capital over the weekend to roar on Howe’s team.
NewcastleWorld has launched a new dedicated NUFC WhatsApp channel to bring you the latest news, analysis and insight from St James' Park. Be part of the conversation -click here to join.
“They’re fantastic fans, aren’t they?” he told talkSPORT. “They’ve waited so long for a trophy. I mean Newcastle, what a place to be if they win.
“They’re amazing fans. Every week they turn up, they’ve all got their shirts on… it’s a great atmosphere. It’s got the makings of a great game. I’m looking forward to it.”
Redknapp also shared an anecdote about how he signed Howe and Liverpool supremo Hughes in 2002. At the time, the Toon boss was struggling with injuries and made the switch from Bournemouth to Portsmouth.
“Eddie has done fantastic, hasn’t he?” Redknapp added. “He was my first signing for Portsmouth. I signed two players, him and Richard Hughes, who has now gone from Bournemouth to Liverpool as head of recruitment.
"Richard is a genius. He signed all those good young players at Bournemouth who are doing so well now and got headhunted by Liverpool. I think I paid £50,000 for the pair of them.
“Eddie was a good player. I followed Eddie's career at Bournemouth. He read the game well and was a very intelligent footballer. He’s done a great job.”
Eddie Howe’s cruel playing career fuelled his managerial passion
Howe has opened up several times about his playing days being cut short early. Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine in 2019, he said: “I remember being told I would probably have to retire. This was still quite early in my career, probably when I was 24 or 25.
“I went to see a specialist and he said, ‘I think this could be career-ending’, and it really did feel like my life had ended. I had no backup plan and was devastated.
“I was out for two years and when I came back I was 26. I moved back to Bournemouth and played on for a few more years, but I was struggling, to be honest. I was never the same player and was aware of that, so I was keen not to hang around for too long when I wasn’t performing well. Thankfully, I got a coaching offer from Kevin Bond and I went that way.”
YOUR NEXT READ:Liverpool supporters will be raging with PGMOL announcement before Newcastle United final.