Jamie Reuben says Newcastle United board were captivated by Eddie Howe when he interviewed for manager role

Eddie Howe proved to the world that he is in fact a top-class manager by guiding Newcastle United to their first trophy in 56 years earlier this month.

Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup, their first domestic silverware in 70 years, and they did it with a 16-year-old on the bench, and with players such as Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Joelinton and Fabian Schar in the side, all of whom were so close to experiencing relegation with the club just a couple of years prior.

The fact that Eddie Howe has been able to take so many players who were relegation fodder and turn them into champions has been a testament to what makes him such a fantastic manager.

Yes, of course, he's bought players too and they have elevated the quality of the side, but every manager can do that, what's impressive about Howe is that he can take players to another level.

A clip from 2023 has resurfaced in which Jamie Reuben waxes lyrical about Eddie Howe

When Eddie Howe took the role as the PIF's first manager post-takeover, so many pundits were convinced that he'd just be a stop-gap manager until Newcastle brought in a world-class big-name gaffer like Jose Mourinho or Carlo Ancelotti.

However, listening to Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben speak to Business of Sport back in 2023 about Eddie Howe's interview with the club, it doesn't sound like that was ever the plan.

"I think what stood out from Eddie Howe's interview, which captivated the entire board, was just how prepared he was for that interview.

"He talked specifically, where everyone else was talking more generally and for where we were in the league that really resonated with us. He would use players' names that we had not just 'centre-back' he'd use a specific name. He was so well rehearsed. He came with such a level of knowledge and so prepared, we all immediately comfortable with him."

Eddie Howe has what it takes to be one of the greats

That clip resurfaced in the wake of Newcastle's Carabao Cup victory and it shows that even back then, the board knew they'd picked the right man for the job.

And while Simon Jordan still insists that Newcastle will drop him like a bad habit when a big name becomes available, we believe that Eddie Howe has what it takes to become one of those big-name, in-demand managers.

Even the greats had to work their way to the top, and there's nothing stopping Eddie Howe from reaching those heights. Hopefully, he does it at Newcastle.