Eddie Howe: ‘no ceiling’ to Newcastle United’s ambitions

NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe believes Newcastle United can one day be as huge as Manchester United, such is the ambition of the club’s Saudi Arabian owners.

A little more than 12 months ago Newcastle were bought out of their 15-year Mike Ashley purgatory when the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia purchased an 80 percent stake in the football club. PCP Capital Partners, headed by dealmaker Amanda Staveley, and RB Sports & Media share the remaining 20 percent in the ownership model.

So much has changed at St. James’ Park in the past year, but there is still so much to improve on. And while Howe accepts the two clubs are nowhere close to a level playing field now, he does not doubt the ambition of the PIF and chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan will eventually see the Magpies compete at Europe’s top table.

“I don’t like to put ceilings on individual players and I don’t like to put ceilings on clubs either,” said Howe, whose side take on fifth-placed Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“Looking at my own history, Bournemouth were associated as a League One, League Two team, primarily League One, but we have seen them grow into a Premier League club. So why not?

“The aim of this club and the ambitions behind the scenes are huge. I’ve always got to try and deliver those ambitions and that will take time. But there’s no ceiling here.

“When you see the passion around the city, the thing that always blows me away is the young people here — the 12, 13, 14-year-olds, their passion for Newcastle. It runs through generations and that won’t stop.

“What will happen, hopefully, is the global brand and the global enthusiasm for Newcastle will grow if the club can be successful.

“I am putting more pressure on myself here, but that