Here are the latest Newcastle United headlines for Monday, May 22, 2023.
Howe's focused on future
Eddie Howe says that he will not savour Newcastle United's celebrations too long if the Magpies book their place in the Champions League against Leicester tonight.
Just a point would clinch a coveted top four slot, but for Howe he knows that the moment this season ends, preparations begin for next term. And that means his phone will be switched on throughout his June break.
READ MORE: 2023-24 Champions League draw dates when clubs will learn group opponents
Speaking ahead of the clash with Leicester, Howe was asked if he'd be unable to soak up any sense of achievement and said: "Unfortunately, yes. It means you are on a conveyor belt and you can't get off it.
"Everyone will say 'that's a great achievement', all I can think of is the next challenge coming. You can't sit back, take a month off and relax on a beach, it's the opposite.
"It's how do we succeed best in the next phase. It is very much being on a cycle of improvement."
Lineker's Shearer request
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has asked Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer for the Magpies to 'take it easy' on Leicester City at St James' Park tonight. Leicester are in desperate need of points themselves, with Dean Smith's side heading into the clash in 19th place in the Premier League table
And Lineker, who used to play for the Foxes and is a lifelong fan of the club, has humorously pleaded with his Match of the Day team-mate for United to take mercy on them in their bid to avoid relegation.
"Leicester play again on Monday. Four Mondays on the bounce. I'm not sure if this is some kind of plan to make sure Leicester go down, there's some conspiracy theories there," Lineker joked.
"Your guys now, Newcastle. They are pretty much certain to be in the Champions League. Not quite yet but at some point. Can you take it easy on Monday, just relax a little bit?!"
Howe's special quality
Rio Ferdinand has praised Eddie Howe for the manner in which he has gone about the season at Newcastle United.
"I have to say about Eddie Howe," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "Everyone would have said they would be happy with Europe, getting into Europe, the conference league or whatever.
"They would have said brilliant job and that's the next stage. But to do what he's done, Champions League football is almost there.
"I watched them against Brighton the other day. Brighton are a fantastic team, they give everyone problems but they dismantled them, over-ran them, overpowered them, the energy in that squad and in that stadium now, the place is vibrant and he's done it with that cool and calm approach, very meticulously.
"He's in a fish bowl. It's a crazy place up there when a little bit of success starts coming into the stadium and he's been really calm. He's let Jason Tindall take all the headlines and he just chills in the background."
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