Eddie Howe has answered any lingering doubts about commitment to the North East by not only moving his family to the area - but into the former home of one of the region's favourite sons.
Although, it was only when Howe was scanning Netflix and spotted 'Alan's programmes' that he realised the previous occupant of his new home. Howe picks up the tale and smiles as he tells assembled journalists in Riyadh: "Yes (it is Shearer's house), but I did not know until I moved in. I turned on the TV and Alan’s Netflix came up!
"It was there on the screen, 'Al'. So I thought, 'Oh, the last owner was called Al'. It was only then someone said to me it was Alan Shearer! I did not dare go back in and check what he had been watching!
"I’ve spoken to him about it. I’m hoping a bit of his magic rubs off on me!"
READ MORE: Chris Wood shoots down transfer talk and says he is 'committed' to Newcastle
It is a far cry from last December when Howe may have been forgiven if he struggled to enjoy the festivities. Still in a hotel and with his family travelling back and forward, it was tough but Newcastle's precarious position in the Premier League table hardly made things better.
Howe said: "We were in the Hilton last Christmas with the three boys. It was actually really nice, we even had a tree. We tried to make it special for them and they really enjoyed it. But this year will be special. I’m so proud of how Vicki and the boys have adapted to life here and have tried to buy into everything."
Howe's three boys are looking forward to Christmas on Tyneside and their letters to Santa Claus were submitted just before Newcastle flew over to Saudi Arabia.
Howe told reporters: "My wife has just sent me a letter from my eight-year-old. I’ll read you a bit.
"You’ll be pleased to hear some of this… a Fit Bit, Air Pods, Newcastle away kit (green and white), PSG home kit, three walkie talkies - he’s got two brothers - Newcastle home shorts and socks, Newcastle away (blue and yellow), Match Attax, footballs, chocolate, Where’s Wally book. They tend to get their own name on the back rather than a specific player."
The World Cup break came and went for Newcastle without any major injury woe as England came home early and Switzerland and Brazil failed to make the latter stages. The initial two weeks of the tournament resulted in Howe handed his players a clean break and it was an opportunity for Howe to enjoy some family time too. Last summer he'd taken his family to theme parks in the US, this time it was a jaunt closer to home at Euro Disney.
So was it less stressful to last summer? Howe said: "I was distracted in a different way. The summer was 'transfers, transfers, transfers'. This was different things - the World Cup, players, staff…"
The Newcastle job has often been described as a roller-coaster down the years. Howe quipped: "I went on one really bad ride. I’m not one for rollercoasters at all. I was told, 'Oh yeah, it’s a family ride'.
"So I went on with the three boys. It was one of the worst couple of minutes of my life! I was chucked around, all over this turtle thing. I came off and felt sick for the rest of the day.
"There’s a lesson - do your research and find out what you’re going on. So it’s very similar to do this job! You just have to go with the ride and cling on."
Howe is doing more than just clinging on as he calmly steers the club into Christmas Day in third place in the table and still alive in both cups. But like everybody else he will enjoy Christmas morning and allow his players to do likewise with their families.
He said: "I’ll let the players be with their families in the morning. We’ll train and then leave for Leicester."
A belated gift at Boxing Day would be just the job for supporters, but Howe is feeling right at home on Tyneside, and the future bodes extremely well for 2023.
READ NEXT
- Newcastle to use cryotherapy as training ground upgrades take shape
- Alexander Isak touch and go to take part in Newcastle United's festive programme
- Bruno Guimaraes beats Salah and Haaland to win Fans' Footballer of the Year
- Jurgen Klopp benefits from Newcastle United's last mistake under Mike Ashley
- How PIF are reaching for the skies in Riyadh
