![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has insisted he cannot yet be talked of in the same breath as celebrated predecessors Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson.<\/p>\n
Howe has hugely enhanced his reputation since being appointed to the hotseat at St James\u2019 Park by the cub\u2019s new Saudi-backed owners in November 2021 and overseeing a dramatic change in fortunes.<\/p>\n
Within 18 months, the 45-year-old had guided the Magpies to a first domestic cup final in 24 years and secured a top-four Premier League finish playing a thrilling brand of football, an achievement comparable to those of Keegan and Robson during their respective tenures.<\/p>\n
As a result, he has won a similar place in the affections of fans, although asked if he recognised the comparison, Howe said: \u201cNo. For me personally, I don\u2019t see that. I\u2019ve got so, so much to do to even be talked of in the same breath as those people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I watched Sir Bobby\u2019s documentary, which I thought was an amazing thing to watch, it hits you, his career and what he did and how he acted, just everything about his character and the legacy that he\u2019s left here.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/11\/30\/15\/GettyImages-1388382959%20copy.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/12\/01\/03\/GettyImages-1245251240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really powerful thing to watch, I thought, and I really, really enjoyed it, so no, I\u2019ve got a lot to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe drive is to try to do as well as you can. I don\u2019t judge it by what they achieved \u2013 they are different times.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did their best for the football club when they were here and they achieved some unbelievable things, and I will try to do my best for the football club both short-term and long-term while I\u2019m here. That\u2019s all I can do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe outcome will be the outcome. Obviously I hope it\u2019s positive, I hope people will look back on it fondly. That\u2019s all I wish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newcastle face Liverpool on Sunday in a fixture which always rekindles memories of the epic 4-3 defeat at Anfield in April 1996 which dented their title charge under Keegan.<\/p>\n
His so-called Entertainers set the benchmark for subsequent generations and just as Robson did, Howe is keen to reproduce a style of play which excites supporters.<\/p>\n
I want my players to be remembered forever, to become legends of the football club.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI said very early in my tenure here that to be compared to The Entertainers is a huge compliment because we want to entertain, not necessarily instead of winning because we are here to win, but to entertain as well.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/26\/22\/f3934108d9fc63a101bca2a6d7bc8f3dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjkzMTQ3MTM0-2.73352548.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/26\/21\/b81167c75a6e7d9832e71d4e465d990cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjkzMTY3NDE0-2.73465115.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/26\/21\/086644a7aaab2f0bddfa4b9ce7cf00d8Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjkzMTY2MDA5-2.73464817.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are desperate for our supporters to come to the stadium and then leave with that feeling that they cannot wait for next week, with that feeling of, \u2018What is the team going to show today?\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose kind of emotions are really positive and we want to leave lasting memories. I want my players to be remembered forever, to become legends of the football club. That is something I want for them.\u201d<\/p>\n