(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Paul Scholes has been labelled 'classless' by Newcastle United fans after scoffing at the notion of a statue for Eddie Howe. The Toon celebrated a momentous Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, bridging a 70-year gap for a domestic trophy and breaking a curse of nine back-to-back losses at Wembley with a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak.
This triumph is not only significant for its addition of silverware but also as it propels Howe into a special place in the club's history – with European football now on the horizon just over three years since he took charge of the Magpies mired at the bottom of the Premier League without a win to their name.
Already boasting statues of football greats such as Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Robson, St James' Park may have another icon in line as some proposed that Howe ought to be immortalised in bronze.
During an edition of The Overlap, a query was enthusiastically posed to Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher by a Newcastle fan: "I want to ask you... does Eddie Howe deserve a statute?".
The former Manchester United midfielder couldn’t hide a chuckle, before replying with a smirk, "You won the League Cup f---ing hell! Everyone tries to get knocked out of that all year!".
His remarks didn't sit well with Newcastle supporters when shared online, with one voicing their disdain, saying, "That response from Scholes is absolutely rank," before adding, "Arrogant, out of touch and completely classless.
"Ending that 70 year wait was always going to = an outpour of emotion after decades of disappointment through generations of fans. If Newcastle can't celebrate that, what is the point?".
"It's gas Scholsey saying teams try to get knocked out of that, yet the last 11 winners before Newcastle comprised of Man City, Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea," another fan chimed in.
"What an embarrassing reply," a supporter commented. "Let Newcastle fans celebrate however they like. If they think Eddie Howe deserves a state, then he deserves a statue.
"They just don't get it," another fan expressed. "Never will..let's see what they think if they go 56 years without a cup or 70 without a domestic cup.."
Whether Howe will see his likeness at home games remains uncertain, but the 47 year old is set to receive the freedom of Newcastle. He will join the ranks of Shearer, Robson and Jackie Milburn, with his name etched into the walls of the civic centre's banqueting hall.
The confirmation of this honour is expected at the next council meeting. Before becoming a freeman, Howe would need to pledge to defend the city of Newcastle. He will also gain 'herbage' or grazing rights for his livestock on the Town Moor.
Council leader Karen Kilgour has nominated Newcastle's manager for the city's highest honour. "What Eddie has achieved is nothing short of extraordinary," she stated. "He will be forever a hero to our city."