Howe welcomes Staveley vow Newcastle 'will win Champions League'

By Sports Desk March 03, 2023

Eddie Howe had no issue with Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley promising the club would win the Champions League, although he hopes they will have patience with him along the way.

Newcastle played their first major final in 24 years on Sunday but were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the EFL Cup showpiece at Wembley.

Staveley's response was a strong one, inspired by the experience of the defeat as she told talkSPORT: "We will win the Carabao Cup, we will win the FA Cup, we will win the Champions League, and we will win the Premier League."

Those comments were relayed to Howe on Friday ahead of a trip to Manchester City, where Newcastle will attempt to get their Premier League campaign back on track.

"I love Amanda's positivity, I love her outlook," Howe said. "I've got no issue with the statements.

"All I'd say is, from my perspective, there's no time limit on that. If we set targets that are maybe too short-term, that can have a negative effect and build external pressure that the players don't need.

"We want the players to play free and not really think too much about the consequences. It's my job to take the pressure off them, so that's what I'll try to do."

Newcastle were in a relegation battle last season but now sit fifth even after a four-match winless run in the top flight, with Champions League qualification still in their hands.

"The leap is harder, and time is something that is a very small commodity, really, when you're sat in my shoes here," Howe added.

"Lowering expectation and controlling that environment is so important.

"I don't think we created a problem for ourselves, but the speed with which the team has improved has been so quick that I think people naturally assume that will continue. If it was that easy... it's not that easy.

"So, to continue on a forward trajectory is harder and harder. The better you get, the harder it is to get better.

"We have big challenges ahead, and we need to be smart at what we do. My work will be judged on that evolution of the team."

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    Sean Longstaff says Eddie Howe's trust is allowing him to play his best football as Newcastle United go in search of a third straight Premier League win against West Ham on Monday.

    After a difficult period, Newcastle bounced back by beating Arsenal (1-0) and Nottingham Forest (3-1) to enter the international break eighth in the table, one point adrift of third-placed Chelsea.

    Longstaff returned to Newcastle's starting lineup for those matches after temporarily losing his place in their midfield, with Joelinton being pushed into the frontline.

    "The midfield group is really strong," Longstaff told BBC Radio Newcastle. "When you look around it's all internationals. It's just about trying to bring my strengths to the team.

    "I know the manager trusts me which is the biggest thing. No matter what anyone ever says, the fact he trusts me gives me the most confidence."

    Longstaff then continued: "The season we qualified for the Champions League, I tried to enjoy it as much as possible.

    "Then, last year there was games every three days and with lads being injured, I think the burden of trying to win every game can mean the enjoyment leaves a little bit. I'm just trying to enjoy the games as much as I can and hopefully being a bit freer will help."

    Opponents West Ham, meanwhile, are just five points clear of the relegation zone after signing off for the international break with a goalless draw against Everton, a result that followed on from a crushing 3-0 defeat at Forest.

    The Hammers' underwhelming start to the campaign has seen Julen Lopetegui's position questioned mere months after he took the reins, and he is demanding a complete performance next time out.

    Speaking to BBC Sport after the Everton game, Lopetegui said: "We had more chances than them. In the second half, we had more clear chances to win the game.

    "The first half was a gift for them. We lost 45 minutes. In the second half we did better, we were aggressive and had chances to win.

    "The matches aren't about 45 minutes. They are 90 minutes and stoppage time. That's why I'm not happy, for sure. I think we can, and have to, do better."

    PLAYERS TO WATCH 

    Newcastle United – Harvey Barnes

    Only against Aston Villa (nine) has Barnes been directly involved in more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (eight – six goals, two assists). 

    He has either scored or assisted in each of his last four against the Hammers (four goals, one assist), finding the net in each of the last three.

     

    West Ham – Michail Antonio 

    Only Wolves frontman Jorgen Strand Larsen (16) has made more hold-ups while retaining possession in the Premier League this season than West Ham striker Antonio (15). 

    Antonio is retaining possession with 71% of his hold-ups in the competition this term (15/21), the highest ratio of any player to attempt 10 or more. Lopetegui's side are likely to spend plenty of time under pressure on Monday, but he could provide them with an outlet.

    MATCH PREDICTION – NEWCASTLE UNITED WIN

    Newcastle have won their last two Premier League games and are looking to win three in a row for the first time since September 2023 – this is the sixth occasion since then that they have won twice in a row in the league.

    They have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League games against West Ham (five wins, four draws) and are unbeaten in all five against the Hammers under Howe (two wins, three draws). They triumphed 4-3 when the sides last met at St James' Park in March.

     

    West Ham, meanwhile, have kept just two clean sheets in their last 28 Premier League away games, conceding 66 goals (2.4 per game). 

    Indeed, in 2024, they have conceded more away goals in the top-flight (35) than any side.

    Lopetegui's men have also failed to score in their last two league games, as many as in their previous 14 beforehand. Only five teams have a worse difference between their expected goals (xG) and expected goals against (xGA) figures than West Ham (-2.97) this term.

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    Newcastle United – 58.9%

    West Ham – 19.7%

    Draw – 21.4%

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    Bruno Guimaraes says he is happy at Newcastle United, despite reported interest from Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.

    The Magpies skipper has become a fan favourite at St James' Park since his move from Lyon in June 2022.

    Guimaraes helped Newcastle qualify for the Champions League in his first full season at the club, and succeeded Kieran Trippier as team captain ahead of this term.

    The all-action midfielder completed the most tackles for Newcastle in each of his first two full Premier League campaigns, while only compatriot Joelinton (28) betters his tally of 27 so far in 2024-25. 

    Meanwhile, only Dan Burn (598) has made more passes for Eddie Howe's side than Guimaraes (541), who revealed he spoke with City boss Guardiola to share their mutual respect, but nothing further.

    "I believe that at my club, I am an idol and I have a lot of respect," he told Brazilian newspaper Globo.

    "I am the captain of Newcastle, and it is something that if you had asked me three years ago, my biggest dream would have been to play in the Premier League.

    "Playing, being an idol, being captain is something wonderful. I really like Newcastle. Of course, having Manchester City's interest shows that I am at a high level, but it was nothing more than interest.

    "I know that Guardiola likes my football, it is normal to have great coaches who admire your football. We have spoken once. I praised his work, he praised my work, but it was nothing more than that."

  • Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino

    Serie A side Genoa have confirmed the departure of their head coach Alberto Gilardino, with Patrick Vieira reportedly on his way in.

    Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, leaves the club with them sitting just one point above the relegation size with 10 points from 12 matches this season. 

    A former striker who played for clubs including Genoa, Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina, Gilardino took charge of Genoa in 2022 and helped them earn promotion to the top division before a 11th-place finish during the 2023-24 season. 

    "The club thanks Gilardino for the goals achieved together over the years and wishes him the best for his career," Genoa said in a statement.

    The 42-year-old saw his side salvage a late 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas' Como in their last match before the international break. 

    Genoa were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the second round following a defeat to Sampdoria on penalties in September. 

    Arsenal legend Vieira is set to replace him, according to multiple reports. 

    The former France midfielder has been out of work since leaving Strasbourg by mutual consent in July. 

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