WHEN I got the job at Portsmouth in 2002, there was one man I wanted as my first signing — Eddie Howe.
At 5ft 10in he wasn’t the biggest centre-half, but he was so knowledgeable about the game, he read it so well, I had no doubts he’d do a great job.
Harry Redknapp knew Eddie Howe would make a good bossRex Features
Howe played for Portsmouth under Redknapp, until injury wrecked his careerAction Images – Reuters
Sadly, he didn’t get the chance to prove it.
He injured his knee early on, which kept him out for months, and did the same again in the opening game of the next season.
Eddie never fully recovered and eventually had to retire. But if his playing days ended sadly, he is more than making up for it as a manager.
And, right now, I reckon he has got the best job in the country at Newcastle — and I include the likes of Manchester City, Man United and Liverpool.
In my mind, St James’ Park is the best place to be bar none. Mega money, a huge financial investment, and the most passionate fans in the game… and thousands of them.
So much so that if Gareth Southgate called it a day tomorrow, Eddie would be on a shortlist of one to replace him as England boss.
But, you know what, even if that happened — and of course it’s not about to — I’m not so sure that Eddie would actually want it. And why would he?
Sir Bobby Robson will always be an absolute legend to those mad, passionate Geordies, but I can see a time when Eddie is just as big a hero.
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That’s how highly I rate the job that he’s doing.
He’s building something really special now at Newcastle and doing it his way, the right way, for all he has huge amounts of dough to spend.
When Howe was appointed last year, his first task was keeping them up, which he managed with something to spare.
Then it was all about turning them into regular top-four challengers.
But as passionate as those Geordie fans are, I’m not sure too many expected it to be as soon as this season. Yet the icing on the cake so far is reaching their first Wembley final in 24 years.
And the place will be like a ghost town today when they play Manchester United.
United are going so well at the minute that it’s a big ask — and having to do it with your third-choice goalkeeper makes life even tougher.
That doesn’t mean I see it as a lost cause by any means.
Howe has thrived as boss of NewcastleGetty Images – Getty
The two teams are so evenly matched, I’ve no doubt Newcastle CAN win, for sure. The key man could be Allan Saint-Maximin, who has such natural ability that there are times when he is almost unstoppable.
The heart says Newcastle but if I had to put my house on it, the head edges towards United — especially if Marcus Rashford is fit.
But if those Geordies are disappointed today, there are plenty of good times ahead under Eddie.
For me, he is the perfect package and destined to become a cult hero.
He knows the game, he’s so knowledgeable and fits the bill in every respect. There just isn’t a box he doesn’t tick.
Oh, and don’t let that quiet image fool you into thinking he hasn’t got a ruthless streak.
Pic by Arfa Redknapp and Howe 08-05-2015Griffiths Photographers
He’s no soft touch, as he’s shown in sending Ryan Fraser to train with the youth team.
Whatever happens against United, it’s only a matter of time before we’ve stopped talking about them not winning a trophy since the 1969 Fairs Cup.
And I’m certain Eddie will be with them every step of the way — regardless of anything else that’s dangled in front of him.