Eddie Howe on Jose Mourinho: 'Look What He Did'
Eddie Howe praises Jose Mourinho's impact on English football ahead of their Champions League clash.
“Being a newly-promoted team, you need every shot of confidence you can get. I look back fondly on those games...”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is looking forward to facing Jose Mourinho's Benfica in the Champions League. Howe has spoken highly of Mourinho, citing the significant impact he had on his development as a manager.
Eddie Howe has fond memories of Bobby Robson, Mourinho's mentor, who remains a revered figure at Newcastle's St James' Park. The upcoming match presents an opportunity for Howe's side to test themselves against a top-tier team led by a highly experienced manager.
“I'm not just saying that because we are playing them tomorrow, I genuinely believe it. The impact he made initially was incredible, really. He had an aura around him and his teams. His teams were always very difficult to beat.”
Howe, who made his name in management at Bournemouth, added: “I remember watching his teams in my very early days as a head coach, when I was looking to mould the way I wanted to play and what I was thinking about coaching-wise, he had a big impact.”
Portuguese boss Mourinho boasts an impressive 26 major trophies, including three Premier League titles, four League Cups, an FA Cup, and the Europa League, accumulated during his successful stints with Chelsea and Manchester United.
Eddie Howe on a return to #UCL action:
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) October 20, 2025
"We love these games. The Barcelona game here was so close for us and it could have been a very different outcome.
We've been in that position a lot this season where the results could have gone either way. We've been very competitive, we… pic.twitter.com/xtgQRwJ5YN
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has no doubts about Mourinho's impact on English football. When asked if Mourinho should be considered an all-time great, Howe replied, “I think you have to. Look what he did.”
“Any Premier League win is savoured regardless of where you are,” he said. “It's so difficult to do it in the Premier League and especially at that stage of my career.
“Chelsea were one of the strongest teams in the league and there were some great wins for us that, at the time... (it) gave us the belief that we could compete in the Premier League.
“Being a newly-promoted team, you need every shot of confidence you can get. I look back fondly on those games.
“But obviously this game is very different. It's a different kind of experience. We now - I said this before the previous Champions League game - we're desperate to qualify in the competition.
“We know the importance of our home games, so after the disappointment of Barcelona, we're looking forward to this one.”
Eddie Howe on the season so far:
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) October 20, 2025
"Frustrating is the feeling. I think we're so close to being something more and getting better results than we have. I think team performances have been strong, we've been very good defensively although there was a couple of lapses against… pic.twitter.com/NCxAc7qfPz
Newcastle bounced back from their defeat from Barcelona with a 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise. In contrast, Benfica has struggled, losing their first two fixtures to Qarabag and Chelsea.
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