Howe warns Newcastle 'have it all to prove' despite top four finish
Eddie Howe relaxed in the summer studying volcanoes and geysers in Iceland - and working on ways to prevent a high pressure eruption on Newcastle.
The United boss admits the new season will feel very different from Newcastle’s fresh and unexpected rise to the top four last term. Expectations have risen. Newcastle are seen as contenders again. Saudi chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has gone public to say he wants the club to “be No1.”
This summer Howe has had down time in Greece - with his wife and kids at a football academy naturally. They went to Iceland, learning about “igneous and metamorphic rocks” for his eldest son’s school tests, and also, never away from the job, taking in an international when keeper Martin Dubravka was playing. Plus a campervan trip in Northumberland, to Alnwick.
That gave Howe the headspace to reflect on how to deal with the burgeoning global interest in his club - rich from Saudi investment, £340m spent on transfers, and a Champions League campaign ahead. Howe has revealed the “internal stress” that drives him, the fears that spur his work-ethic, and what makes his days enjoyable.
There’s a clear message for Newcastle fans and players as to how they will deal with the new challenges of mixing it with the elite. Howe’s key take away from his summer thinking was: Don’t believe the hype. Pressure is only a thing created by other people, not ourselves. We have to remain very humble and committed to success.
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“We have it all to prove. We haven’t arrived. Work with the same intensity, we’ll be fine.”
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Eddie Howe's Newcastle are preparing for Champions League football (PA)Howe says the holiday’s flashed by. He’s chatting at a Premier League pitch opening in New Jersey, USA, on an 11 day, three game, three city, 90F tour. “Noisier” than last year’s camp in the Austrian lakes and mountains.
In Greece he watched the kids play football, played tennis, mobile phone close by helping get the £54m signing of Milan’s Sandro Tonali over the line. “A huge player for us and a huge transfer, but that was really tough to do.
“Iceland. It was slightly different and out of the normal scene. It is a volcanic island. Geysers, picturesque and beautiful.”
Sandro Tonali has arrived to bolster the Magpies' squad (Getty Images)Surely managing Newcastle is like sitting on an active volcano? There could be an eruption any time.
Howe laughs. “Last year we were coming off the back of a relegation battle and expectations were quite low. I don’t think we had huge pressure on our shoulders.
“Now Newcastle are expected to do things. I think it is something the players will feel at times. The most important thing is to be ourselves, be natural.
“We want the team spirit, togetherness, the fight for every point, and not to change our mentality which was one of being on a journey to have a successful season. Keep that dynamic.”
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Newcastle have taken on fellow Premier League sides including Chelsea during pre-season (Getty Images for Premier League)Howe has also given a fascinating insight into his own psychology. At times he seems so driven, the job is hard to enjoy. Last season he said fear is his motivation. What did he mean?
He said: “I don’t have one point of fear where I am looking at it thinking I fear this. It is more just the fear of not being successful which is a bigger picture. Fear of not doing my job well. Fear of letting the players down. Letting the people of Newcastle down. That drives me.
“It sounds negative, but it is not, it is hugely positive for me, because it makes me work as hard as I do. I don’t want people to think: poor guy he is constantly fearful! I am not.
“Yes there is definitely internal stress. I am not in a comfortable place right now.”
Last season's fourth-place finishers have European football to look forward to (Getty Images)So maybe he’ll only enjoy the ride at Newcastle when it’s over and he can reflect? “I try to enjoy it. I love coaching. I love being on the training pitch. I really do,” he added.
“If I have delivered a good training session, that was a good day. I think, we have got better today. Game days are intense and a reflection of your work. You enjoy the win for a small period then on to the next one.
“If you sit and relax even for a second, whatever part of the season you are in you are going to fall behind. You are caught in that cycle all the time.”
The cycle is beginning again, and you’d bet on Howe and his players to be ready.
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