Eddie Howe 'very impressed' with Nick Woltemade, emulating Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle United 'means a lot' in Champions League
Updated 18/09/2025 at 11:45 GMT+1
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has said it "means a lot" to become the first manager to lead the club into two different Champions League campaigns since legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson. The Magpies have qualified for Europe's elite competition for the second time in three years, and they kick things off on Thursday as they host another of Sir Bobby's former sides, Barcelona.
‘Very different to how he looks’ – Howe on getting ‘the best out of’ Woltemade
Video credit: TNT Sports
Eddie Howe has said "it means a lot" to become the first manager to lead Newcastle United into two different UEFA Champions League campaigns since Sir Bobby Robson.
The Magpies qualified for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years when Howe guided them to a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign.
Following a year out of the tournament, they are back in the mix this time around after finishing fifth in the English top flight last season, with Howe still in the dugout.
But the Englishman had not given much thought to the fact that he equalled Sir Bobby's record.
"That's lovely to hear," Howe told TNT Sports. "I mean, it's not something I necessarily think about too often, but sometimes when you're hit with something like that, it means a lot, especially to be in the same company as Sir Bobby."
Discussing his side’s qualification, Howe added: "The reward is these moments, and it's the preparation for these huge games that mean so much.
"Now we know we've got to obviously perform, and there's an element of pressure that comes with that, but great pressure."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/09/16/image-00406e4f-4714-451c-ab6d-7fd3da565615-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Barcelona 'could be in for a rude awakening' against Newcastle as tournament favourites chosen
Video credit: TNT Sports
Newcastle kick off their Champions League campaign on Thursday with the visit of La Liga champions Barcelona, another of Sir Bobby’s former sides.
Howe "hopes" there will be a similar atmosphere to when his side hosted Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
The Magpies blew the French side away, winning 4-1 at a raucous St James’ Park thanks to goals from Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar.
Reflecting on that famous night, Howe said: "A lot of that atmosphere against PSG was because we scored the first goal and we started the game really well, so we will dictate that to a degree, but the supporters here are always with us.
"We want that belief and a bit of the magic that came from those games; it’s about getting the psychological aspect right in our preparations and making sure the players enter the pitch feeling good and relishing the challenge they are going to face."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2023/10/19/3807944-77410808-2560-1440.jpg)
Relive Newcastle masterclass v PSG in the UEFA Champions League
Video credit: TNT Sports
Howe pleased with record-signing Woltemade
Howe will be hoping club-record signing Nick Woltemade can continue his promising start following his arrival from Stuttgart.
The German scored the only goal of the game on his debut as Newcastle beat Wolves at St James’ Park on the weekend.
Howe said he has been "very impressed" by Woltemade and insisted that, despite him standing at 6ft 6in, the 23-year-old will not be used as a target man.
The Newcastle boss said: "He's very different. That's sort of how he looks, really. He looks like he would be a target-man, but we're certainly not going to use him in that way.
"I think to get the best out of Nick, we have to use his technical qualities, and we did that against Wolves really well."
- 'I'll tell you a secret' - Benitez gives verdict on Isak move as Owen calls transfer 'a flex'
- 'Same DNA as Saliba, Gabriel' – How ‘amazing’ UCL debut points to 'bright future' for Mosquera
- Exclusive: Kane ready to climb 'mountain' in Champions League, sends ominous Olise warning
Howe added: "There's a lot to take in. We play in a certain way, so he's had to take a lot of tactical information on board. He's done it really well.
"We also want him just to be himself as well and just play his normal game, so there's a mix in there that we've got to try and get right, but certainly been very impressed."
Watch the Premier League, Men's and Women's FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?