Eddie Howe and Kevin Keegan, my two favorite Newcastle United managers of all time.
Sir Bobby, Rafa, Chris Hughton, Arthur Cox, they were all good guys for NUFC too.
However, KK and our trophy winner are neck and neck clear of the rest.
Kevin Keegan and Eddie Howe oversaw the best years of my time as a Newcastle United supporter.
If United win another trophy this season and/or qualify for the Champions League for the third season in four, it could well tip the balance and I will have a clear all-time favorite at St. James’ Park.
Eddie Howe and Kevin Keegan also have one thing in common: when they speak, it’s worth listening to.
This week KK was back at his old club Scunthorpe United, at an event organized by Guinness.
Ahead of this weekend’s derby, Kevin Keegan asked what he thinks of the current Newcastle United manager, and he summed it up perfectly…
Ahead of the first Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland in the Premier League for almost a decade this weekend, Keegan said: “Eddie Howe understands the identity and emotional pulse of Newcastle United, something many managers have done before him.” [at Newcastle United] struggled with.”
Kevin Keegan…I just love it when he talks about our club and brilliant manager.
KK adds; “Eddie Howe has rebuilt the club’s bond with its supporters through honesty, hard work and a clear playing style…”
With two Champions League qualifications in the last three seasons and that trophy win in March, Kevin Keegan signed off with; “Newcastle United finally looks like a club moving forward with a real purpose.”
When I heard what Kevin Keegan had said this week, I was reminded of what was on The Mag shortly after the takeover in October 2021.
Exactly two weeks after we got rid of Mike Ashley on October 7, 2021, The Mag stalwart Jamie Smith joined us for a talk-in with Kevin Keegan at a local venue, obviously a very fortunate coincidence considering the timing of it, as it was pre-booked and obviously sold out, ahead of the very welcome takeover.
Jamie Smith reported on what he heard that evening in October 2021. Kevin Keegan asked how things would change now that Mike Ashley was finally leaving after a decade and a half;
“That’s what the owners will bring, they will bring confidence.
“A trust with the people who are there and a trust with the supporters.
“That’s the thing that’s been broken over the last fourteen years.
“You accept rising tickets when you know those people are spending the money in the right places.
“You buy those shirts in the store at Christmas for your sons and grandchildren.
“That’s what they have to build back and I think they will.
“Things are getting better now and the fact that it is for Newcastle United is the most important thing because no one deserves it anymore.”
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