Kevin Keegan has told Newcastle United chiefs that Eddie Howe will end the club's long trophy drought if he gets the backing he deserves.
In a speech to Geordie fans on his return to the city over the weekend, Keegan had supporters standing on their feet as he raised the roof at Gosforth Park. And he insisted that nobody should be writing off Newcastle's chances at Wembley later this month as his two old clubs go head to head.
Howe - who watched his team crash out the FA Cup to Brighton this weekend - has the Magpies still in with a big chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season and has guided Newcastle to a second Carabao Cup final in the space of three years despite three barren transfer windows. Keegan admits he is frustrated as any fan over the club's inability to spend freely due to PSR rules that have meant the black and whites have not made a major signing since 2023.
Keegan, speaking at Gosforth Park hotel at a fund raiser for NSPCC, told a packed house: "Where you are so lucky here now you have a guy in charge of your football club who gets it. He really does get it. You have not had that for a long time. Forget Mike Ashley he's not worth talking about.
"But it was 10 years where this club went absolutely nowhere, but this guy now (Eddie Howe), who you've got, if they support him, definitely Eddie Howe, don't give up on him...
"I was with Eddie Howe at the theatre, and we discussed for 20 minutes all things Newcastle United. From that minute on, before that I was convinced, but I was convinced that this guy (Howe) will take you where you want to go. So support him."
Keegan has also slammed the Premier League's PSR rules, which left Newcastle empty-handed in both of the last January windows. And Newcastle were restricted in the last summer window when only William Osula came in as a cash solitary purchase. Keegan told fans: "I don't understand FFP, and I have been in football all my life; what is wrong if somebody wants to spend money? What is wrong with letting them spend it?
"It's like saying to a business you can't spend more than that company over there because they are the same business as you. It is crazy. I know it has stopped clubs going bankrupt I get that. But surely had that rule not been in now, the people that own this football club in this city have got the money.
"All the teams at the top of the league are the ones who spend the most money, it is not rocket science. Look what Liverpool have spent. The best player at Chelsea is probably Cole Palmer, he was sold by Man City. Because somehow selling young people who you sent through your own ranks, somehow that helps you with FFP, how crazy is that? You want Geordies playing for your team here."
Keegan also gave his view on Newcastle's prospects at Wembley and said that nobody should read anything into Liverpool's 2-0 win in the Premier League over the Magpies last week.
When asked if it was a dress rehearsal gone wrong, Keegan said: "Not necessarily, no. I was in Liverpool last week working. I got asked who I wanted to win the Carabao Cup, and even though I was in Liverpool, I said Newcastle. Liverpool to win the Premier League and Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup.
"If ever a club deserved to win something, it's Newcastle. I know they won the Fairs Cup in the 1960s, but then you are going back to the 1950s. It has been too long. You have a team that can take Liverpool on, on their day, if they all play well you never know. Go there in hope and anticipation."
