Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer thanked manager Eddie Howe for leading the team to the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
Newcastle have confirmed their advance to the UCL. Newcastle drew 0-0 with Leicester City in the 37th round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2022-23 season held at St. James Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England on the 23rd at 4:00 am (Korean time). Newcastle secured at least 4th place in the league with 70 points.
It’s a comeback after 21 years. The last season Newcastle played in the UCL was in the 2002–03 season. Even if we look at the entire European competition, it was the last time we advanced to the UEFA Europa League (UEL) in the 2012-13 season.
Also, the power of capital was great. Of course, Newcastle’s ‘customized transfer strategy’, which recruits defenders and goalkeepers proven in the EPL, was also fantastic, but the fact that large-scale young players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isaac were able to come to Newcastle was based on the funds of the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund (PIF). The project was decisive.
Director Howe’s credit cannot be ignored either. Howe, who had already created a sensation with Bournemouth, proved his skills at Newcastle as well. His proper mix of players, intentionally unbalanced attack patterns on both sides, and defensive tactics using Dan Byrne were the driving force behind Newcastle becoming a team that is not easily overcome.
Shearer also admired Howe’s strength. Shearer is a legendary striker who has been dedicated to Newcastle for 10 years since 1996. He is the EPL’s top scorer (260 goals) and he led Blackburn Rovers to their only EPL title. However, the team he is most affectionate with is his hometown team, Newcastle.
Shearer sent a lengthy thank-you note to Howe. He was an overwhelming thank you with only ‘Thank you’ 42 times, including the title. Britain’s ‘The Athletic’ published a special letter from Shearer on the 23rd.
The letter, which begins with “Thanks to Howe…for everything”, is structured in the form of expressing gratitude to Howe for all he has accomplished at Newcastle. Shearer’s passionate emotions are well revealed enough to express gratitude by pulling all the souls, even a heartbeat, a lost weekend in London (League Cup runner-up).
Meanwhile,스포츠토토 coach Howe expressed great joy at advancing to the UCL. “It’s impressive,” he said at the post-match press conference. “UCL is not our goal this season. We avoided relegation last season, so we hoped to grow and compete on the European stage within a few seasons. UCL is the best battleground.” said.