Yahoo News Eddie Howe wants 'exciting era' at Newcastle United with quote that Kevin Keegan would love
Eddie Howe insists he is still eager to take Newcastle United into what can be an "exciting era" after a tough season on Tyneside.
The Newcastle boss goes into the final Premier League game of the season with three different scenarios still possible. Howe could emerge with major credit by snatching a top six finish and the Europa League, he could achieve a similarly impressive Europa Conference League spot or he could have to settle for what would be a slightly disappointing eighth place.
Howe would not be the first successful Newcastle manager to endure a slight dip. Kevin Keegan's team dropped from third to sixth in the 1993/94 season but roared back to better things.
Sir Bobby Robson's early progress in 2000, when the ex-England boss led the team from bottom to mid-table, was then followed up by another 11th-place finish in 2001 before taking the club to the Champions League. Howe's team have slipped slightly from fourth.
It was Keegan who once declared: "The sky's the limit" at St James' Park. Despite some struggles this season, Howe was happy to continue in a similar vein.
Howe told Chronicle Live: "I always have that mindset (sky's the limit). I consider myself very positive about the future. I would be saying that regardless of investment, wealth and all the things that you attach to that. For me it is about the opportunity to manage this club.
"And the opportunity to take this club into an exciting era. There are so many positives to be associated with the team and what we have given this year. What the future could be. But it is not plain sailing, it is very difficult to add context to it.
"You can't get carried away with certain labels. I think it is about trying to consistently improve what you have. That's what we are trying to do. And that's what we will continue to do."
Newcastle's season is wrapped up at Brentford for a final day shoot out in London. A victory would at least take them into the rest of the month with an eye on the FA Cup final and knowing a Man City victory over Man United will clinch a deserved spot in Europe.
Howe said: "It's a big last day for us, there's no denying that. We go into the game knowing we have to do our part, which is try and win the game. Then we're in the hands of other clubs. The players are determined to finish on a high."
Newcastle's season could have been much better had they not suffered horrendous away form. It's 11 defeats on the road for the Magpies this term.
Howe said: "For next year we have to get that away form right.. I think we’ve had highlights and had some good performances but it’s summed up by Wednesday where I thought we played OK at Man United.
"The performance generally was good, we created chances and we looked a good team but we weren’t ruthless enough to take the game away from our opponent."
