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Eddie Howe craves more success. His appetite has been whetted after becoming the first Englishman in 17 years to lift a major honour.
Those promotions with Bournemouth were genius, but nothing would have tasted sweeter for Howe than walking up those Wembley steps and etching his name into Newcastle United folklore. A youthful, slick Howe, donning a fitted suit and fresh off a 15-month hiatus, set out to achieve silverware at St James’ Park in his first press conference as manager.
Those were bold claims - especially as Newcastle languished 19th in the Premier League and without a win all season. Notwithstanding the fact he was tackling a trophy-starved club, the infamous and perennial underachievers of English football.
The Magpies were Wembley bridesmaids, losing nine consecutive times - a record - before tasting success against Liverpool. That iconic fumble in 1995-96 is still regarded by many as the greatest Premier League season.
Years of hurt were used as fuel by Howe to get Newcastle over the line. And in doing so, the Toon boss might have opened the floodgates for more…
A delve into the history books shows Howe taking 1,194 days to win a trophy at Newcastle. For context, Sir Alex Ferguson needed 1,288 days to get off the mark as Manchester United manager and Jurgen Klopp (1,331 days) required even longer at Liverpool.
Both are now legendary figures at those respected clubs and one common trait is how they dominated in the ensuing years. Ferguson clinched seven trophies in the next six years. Klopp? Four in his next three.
Success is contagious - and Howe is hungry for more. He has sampled the starter and is now clamouring for the main course.
“Hopefully with one, more can come," Howe told reporters following the Carabao Cup final. "There's no guarantee but it proves we can do it. I've never had any doubts about our ability to lift our game but you don't get many shots at this.
"Today we had to try to take our opportunity. That's where the players delivered under pressure, so impressively. They proved that we can mix our game against the very, very best. The challenge for us is to try to get there more often, lifting our game like we did today."
Doing so will prove difficult in a PSR-dominated climate. In truth, if Newcastle are to take the next step, they are talking Premier League title challenges.
But with their unassuming blonde-haired tactician in the dugout, anything is possible. Now imagine the open-top bus parade after that…
Eddie Howe’s first words as Newcastle United manager revisited
“This is the first time I have been here (St. James’ Park) as manager of Newcastle, and it is an amazing feeling. I can’t describe it. When you walk through the doors and down the tunnel and imagine bygone eras, previous players, previous managers and the names connected with walking down that tunnel, it is incredible.
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“It certainly brought a feeling rarely experienced in football. All I can do is lead the club to the best of my abilities. I will give everything to the job. I will commit 100 per cent every single day to try and bring success to Newcastle, for everyone associated with the club.
“I believe we have the ability within the squad to achieve that aim. It is going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices to get there. They need to give everything they have. I hope so (whether he can be the man to win silverware at Newcastle).
“Newcastle United have not won a major trophy since 1969 and a domestic honour since 1955. But I have been in football long enough to know that looking too far ahead can be a waste of energy. I would be foolish to look too far ahead."