‘The aims of this club are HUGE’: Eddie Howe claims Saudi-backed Newcastle will one day be as big as Man United… as the boss insists there is ‘no ceiling’ on the global potential of the club ahead of Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford
- Eddie Howe believes Newcastle will eventually be as big as Manchester United
- The manager is preparing his side ahead of their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday
- He urged:’ The aims of this club, with the ambition behind the scenes, are huge’
- The Magpies are eager not to sell star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in January
Eddie Howe believes Newcastle United will one day be as big a club as Manchester United.
The two meet at Old Trafford on Sunday with Howe’s team currently sixth in the Premier League, just one place and one point behind their hosts.
Manchester United are still widely considered the world’s biggest club in terms of global reach.
Eddie Howe says Newcastle’s ambition could one day make them as big as Manchester United
But Howe says that Newcastle, under Saudi-backed ownership, have the ambition to match that following.
‘I don’t like to put ceilings on clubs,’ he said. ‘Looking at my own history, Bournemouth were associated as a League One, League Two team.
‘We have seen them grow into a Premier League club. So why not (Newcastle as big as Man United)?
‘The aims of this club, with the ambition behind the scenes, are huge. We now have to try and deliver those huge ambitions. But there is no ceiling here.
The Red Devils host Newcastle on Sunday following their 1-0 win against Omonoia in midweek
‘When you see the passion around the city, the thing that always blows me away is the young people here – the 12, 13, 14 year olds, their passion for Newcastle. It runs through generations and that won’t stop.
‘What will happen, hopefully, is the global brand and the global enthusiasm for Newcastle will grow, if the club can be successful. I am putting more pressure on myself here, but that is the challenge and that is where the club wants to be.’
Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth said this week that the club ‘absolutely do not want to sell Bruno Guimaraes’, while also admitting the need to trade players in their bid to push back the boundaries of financial fair play.
Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth is eager not to let go of Bruno Guimaraes in January
Bruno, outstanding since his £36million January arrival from Lyon, has been linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks. Howe, though, sees him as key to the club’s journey in catching the likes of Manchester United.
‘We desperately want Bruno to be happy here, to enjoy his football and see a long-term vision,’ said the head coach.
‘We want to build a team. We’re in the very early stages of that, so we don’t want to disrupt the group we have, we want to add quality – that’s the aim.
‘But Bruno has done unbelievably well. He has fitted in so well and epitomised the team spirit and the drive we need to be successful.
The Brazilian midfielder, 24, has impressed at St James’ Park since his £36m move from Lyon
‘The supporters have seen that and taken to him from day one. Off the pitch he’s been brilliant. On the pitch, he speaks for himself.’
Howe has also addressed the issue surrounding the expansion of St James’ Park, insisting he would far rather that than other sites being explored.
When asked if he wanted the club to remain at St James’, he said: ‘Without a doubt, without a doubt. When I look around the city you can see the football stadium at every turn, that’s such a powerful thing. I wouldn’t want to change that. That’s our home.’
