Legendary Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has paid tribute to Eddie Howe for rebuilding the emotional bond between the club and its fanbase.
Keegan helped to galvanise Newcastle as both a player and manager on Tyneside, taking his team agonisingly close to the Premier League title when they lost out to Manchester United in 1996.
Howe delivered the silverware Keegan couldn’t when Newcastle won the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool this year, and has guided the club back into Europe on a wave of optimism.
Ahead of the first Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland in the Premier League for almost a decade this weekend, Keegan said: ‘I was absolutely delighted for Eddie because he’s not just a good coach, he understands the identity and emotional heartbeat of Newcastle – something many managers before him struggled with.
‘He’s rebuilt the club’s connection with supporters through honesty, hard work and a clear style of play. Delivering the first trophy in my lifetime since I was a child shows how profoundly he’s changed the mood around the place.
Kevin Keegan has hailed Eddie Howe for rebuilding the bond between Newcastle and its fans
Howe delivered silverware for Newcastle when they won the Carabao Cup against Liverpool
Keegan (right) helped to galvanise Newcastle and almost won the Premier League title in 1996
‘For Newcastle to challenge again, they need to keep building on that clarity; smart signings, patience, stability and maintaining their strong culture.
‘With Europe now part of the journey, they finally look like a club moving upwards with real purpose.’
Keegan was speaking on his return to his first club Scunthorpe United this week on behalf of a campaign by Guinness that is offering 10,000 free pints to non-league fans across the country on Boxing Day.
The 74-year-old former England captain and two-time Ballon d’Or winner even went behind the bar to pour pints for supporters.
‘Scunthorpe was my first club, so coming back here really brings home what makes non-league football so special,’ added Keegan.
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Keegan was speaking on behalf of a campaign by Guinness that is offering 10,000 free pints to non-league fans across the country on Boxing Day
‘Boxing Day is a huge day for these clubs – big crowds, big atmosphere and real community spirit.
‘Being back on the terraces, sharing a pint with the fans, felt like being right back where it all began for me.
‘It reconnects me to the people and places that shaped my career – humble beginnings, community support, and mentors who believed in me – showing that football’s soul lies in clubs like this.’