Where do I begin…
I have kept really quiet in recent weeks about Newcastle United. Not consciously or deliberately but simply because I haven’t been able to say anything that either hasn’t already been said, or that would make any sense.
Since the end of last season, we have gone from relative stability to the situation of years gone by where “It’s never dull around here” was the norm.
The card table has well and truly been kicked up in the air for the first time since the Newcastle United takeover in October 2021.
It would be negligent of me not to mention a few big departures over the summer that have saddened me. I’m not normally lost for words or thoughts but I can honestly say that events in recent weeks have left me staring a blank.
In no specific order we’ll start with Eddie Howe.
I’ll cut to the chase. Managers seldom get a dignified departure. As we all know many managers get given massive pay offs for abject failure. We’ve parted with millions of pounds down the years ourselves, paid to absolute clowns and charlatans. Whilst Eddie Howe resigned and as such wouldn’t be entitled to any severance package, I sincerely hope that he was compensated and offered a goodbye golden handshake.
Whenever the song “Movin’ on up” by Primal Scream is played, it brings me the image of Eddie Howe walking around St James’ Park with his players post-match: win, lose or draw. The man is welcome back any time and it was good to see him looking well in a recent picture. The trials and tribulations of managing this club will age anybody. In stark contrast to some of the people we’ve had in the dugout, his whole tenure was that of a class act.
When it was announced that he would take the job as Newcastle United manager I was unconvinced. But I repeatedly said to anyone who would listen “I’d be delighted if he proves me wrong.” He did just that and the groundwork he has laid since taking over the hot seat in 2021 can not go without recognition. His light shines on.
Photo by The Mag
The sad news about former player and manager Kevin Keegan.
A few weeks before his death was announced, I read reports that he was doing well, so when the news broke I was genuinely taken aback. I’m pleased that both he and Eddie Howe met at some stage and that a picture exists of said meeting. As an aside, Howe’s last official act as Newcastle manager was to lay a wreath outside St James’ Park, something I’m pleased he had the chance to do.
I’ll not be the only one who will be looking forward to seeing the tribute on Sunday against Kevin’s former club Liverpool. We know what we’ll get from Wor Flags in terms of respect and spectacle. That’s a given, they excel themselves every time. There’s extra emotion and spirit now to that game as if any were needed and whilst it’ll be difficult, I’ll borrow a quote- “I’d love it if we beat them, love it.”
Heart on his sleeve was Keegan and I’m devasted that he wasn’t able to get a final bow inside St James’ Park. Nicknamed Mighty Mouse over in Hamburg due to his slight stature but fierce drive and willingness to do well, there’s not one club he played for or managed that didn’t immediately comment positively and respectfully in the days that followed his death. His light shines on.
Other disappointing departures this summer factor lower on the Richter scale. I think everyone accepted that Anthony Gordon moving to Barcelona was a good move all round for both club and player. Getting that deal done early on in the summer was great business.
I liked Sandro Tonali but his departure for London and his apparent dismissive attitude towards Tottenham immediately after signing for them baffles and pleases me in equal measure. Actively telling your new London based employers that you’re still wanting to be in Milan the minute after touching down in the big smoke is a new one on me. Spurs, you’re welcome to him. £100m? Grazie!
Finally, we have Bruno Guimaraes. A cliche I know but…I’m not angry, just disappointed. You can get attached to players and you can generate a bond with players but the overriding thing fans need to understand is that the vast majority of them are mercenaries, no matter how much badge kissing they do.
I commented immediately after his sale was announced that he goes with my best wishes but I don’t wish him well. I hope that contradictory comment is understood by people in the sense that, until we as a club can be challenging for success (Carabao Cups and a Champions League run are not good enough in the grand scheme for some players) we will always be prone to sales of whichever top players we buy and nurture. I don’t see a legitimate challenge to Arsenal for the title this season so Bruno could likely have a League title within 12 months as a minimum. We simply weren’t going to cut the mustard.
Now how about the new guy, Matthias Jaissle. He has so far spoken well. The training video we’ve seen seems to show a “hunt in packs” mentality to me and it’ll be interesting to see how we set up in his first few games. From what I hear and read Matthias seems progressive. I hope the structure in place at the club aids him. The same cannot be said of Eddie Howe over the last 12-18 months. Players wanting out and multiple Sporting Directors can’t have helped.
Pivotal to Matthias’s success or failure this season will be getting a tune out of Yoane Wissa. If he gets 15+ goals this season we’ll stand half a chance. If Howe had been afforded such a luxury then his story would be entirely different.
I thought Eddie Howe was dealt a poor hand over the last 12 months of his tenure. Robbed of a top goalscorer, he was hamstrung and still managed to steer us through great cup campaigns both domestically and in Europe. Unfortunately, some just look at the league table. The new guy won’t have as many distractions this season but he WILL have a concern over where the goals are coming from.
Many fans appear to have donned their negative hats and I share the concerns. A youth-focused transfer strategy is highly risky. It’s not a stretch to imagine that it played a part in Eddie Howe’s departure.
I feel that the losses of Sandro Tonali, Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon and finally Bruno, probably gave Eddie Howe a prod out the door, if not a full on push. A lot of experience has gone out of the door and Eddie probably thought the task of a rebuild too big a task.
Matthias Jaissle seems to have given the hierarchy at the club a bit of a jolt in the sense that the new policy of buying young can be positive but a massive risk. He will want the club to sign him some experience to augment the fresh faced young lads already in.
Under Kevin Keegan we had Brian “Killer” Kilcline, Paul Bracewell and Barry Venison. Sir Bobby Robson went and sought Kevin Gallacher to support Alan Shearer, he threw his support behind Gary Speed, Warren Barton and Rob Lee. No manager can get by on youth alone. Eddie Howe got given Chris Wood to provide experience and cover for Callum Wilson and the former barely got the lickings of a dog from some fans despite being ever present, fit and available. Matthias Jaissle needs some similar people.
To finish, cast your minds back to the end of Eddie Howe’s first season in charge. The team photo on the pitch still sticks with me. Let’s never forget that side that averted the almost inevitable relegation that was looming, that Eddie Howe navigated us away from. A Champions League campaign soon followed. A cup final appearance was soon added to the growing achievements. Losing that one against Manchester United was a setback, a setback that was rectified by beating Liverpool a year ago, Eddie Howe’s crowning glory from his time here.
Various media types originally labelled Eddie Howe a “stop gap.” Derogatory if you ask me. He was more than that. No matter what we go on to achieve, Eddie Howe’s place in our history is secure. He’s come a long way from “The fella that got Bournemouth relegated.” It’s now up to the new guy to write another chapter.
This is something not easy with the unfair restrictions placed on the club by the powers that be. Matthias Jaissle will have his work cut out and both fans and local media need to give him some slack as he’s got a massive job on. For one so young, so inexperienced in this league, he has my full support.
Best of luck Matthias Jaissle, you’re going to need it.
All that remains to be said is, buckle up Newcastle United fans, the rollercoaster is back in motion.
Best wishes and thank you Eddie. Willkommen Matthias. And most importantly, Auf Wiedersehen Kev.