England and Spurs can forget any Eddie Howe hopes - he's here to fulfil Newcastle dreams


Is there any chance those who like to cause mischief will instead leave Eddie Howe and Newcastle United alone to get on with the job of rebuilding a historic and proud club?

It seems everyone outside of the turf Geordies call home are desperate to keep us in soccer's hinterland - the place Mike Ashley had us reside for a decade and a half and others before him were quite willing to accept. The place for also-rans.

First we had uproar and indignation over Saudi money threatening to boomerang United towards global stardom. Even the self styled Super Six tried to put up road blocks. Now, outsiders having gloated that a seventh place finish last season was a major setback to growth, we have what seems like a country-wide concerted effort to prise Howe from his current job and smash a feeling of togetherness.

When Gareth Southgate, he of belt and braces, took his leave of England after being the nation's Nearly Man the forward thinking Howe was immediately elevated to being his successor. I could follow the theory . . . methodical and innovative tactician, thorough in the extreme on the training ground, great man motivator, clever media manipulator. But they were the traits Newcastle saw when no one else did and he was out of a job. Now he loves it here and everyone loves him, so forget it.

Temporarily such clamour died somewhat when Lee Carsley, an identikit FA man without question, took over as interim boss but his public uncertainty about whether he wants it permanently or wishes to go back to the security and relative obscurity of the Under 21s, heightened by a home defeat to Greece, has thrust Howe back into prominence. He is being touted again in many quarters as the real king in waiting.

However if the FA must annoy someone let them go for Pep at Man City. His contract is almost up and would therefore cost less in compensation. They could even wait for him to be available for not a bean should he let them know he fancies it.

Not content with trying to get Howe away from SJP to England we are now being told that if Amanda Staveley manages to buy a significant share in Tottenham she will try to entice Steady Eddie down to the smoke as their new boss.

Yeah, yeah I know. She and hubby were behind his appointment up here three years ago and were his greatest boardroom supporters in the early days but really does two and two make five?

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First Amanda hasn't moved into Spurs, second she would have to sell the idea of other significant shareholders including Daniel Levy that Big Ange should see his P45, and finally hope friendship would prevail over happiness when it comes to dealing with Howe.

Don't even think about it Ms Staveley. The Toon Army love you. Don't spoil it.

Affectionately nicknamed Wor Amanda, many tears swelled the Tyne upon her departure. She became a legend in the quickest of times - only Tony Green to my memory made it over a shorter period and certainly no one from the boardroom has ever gathered such adulation. To risk that standing by attempting to do something which would be totally offensive in our parts is not worth it. Go for your old favourite Rafa Benitez, Uncle Tom Cobleigh or anyone else if your day comes around again!

Naw, Staveley has said nought and so right now nothing is a done deal. Some people appear so scared that Newcastle might become an irresistible force that in an effort to sabotage any prospects they are jumping upon the departure of Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi plus a change in strategy following the arrival of Paul Mitchell, to muddy the waters and suggest a long term change for the worst is inevitable.

Give it a rest. This club and its loyal supporters deserve a break after so many years of famine. The numbers are tattooed on every black and white heart - 27, 55 and 69. The last years United basked in a silver lining provided by the top flight championship, last domestic cup, and European trophy. That is more than long enough feeding off morsels. Leave us alone to shape our own destiny.