Eddie Howe has stated that he will never consider Jurgen Klopp a friend ahead of a rematch between Newcastle and Liverpool.
In the past, the two sides have been at the center of numerous historic and iconic clashes. That trend is expected to continue on Sunday, when the Reds travel to St James’ Park to face Howe’s side.
After Liverpool’s 98th-minute winner at Anfield a year ago, the Newcastle manager and his counterpart fueled the fire between the two clubs. While Howe admits to admiring Klopp, he believes they will never be friends as long as they are both in the dugout.
“I don’t really have a relationship with any manager; I’m competing against them,” he remarked in his pre-match press conference. Personal ties with competitors are quite challenging for me. As a player, I’ve been the same.
“I was never one to approach players before a game. I always draw a line, and that is how I have always been. Jurgen is someone I greatly admire. I think he did an excellent job. He’s a fantastic football manager, but I don’t believe in friendships because they don’t exist for me.”
“When you grow up in a house with three brothers and a sister, I think you just naturally compete for everything,” Newcastle manager Steve Bruce continued. “I assume you’re competing for attention.
“You’re fighting for something.” Then you start playing tiny games that you make, games with your brothers that you want to win, and it all goes downhill from there. There is no such thing as a friendly; even with my children, I have to attempt to win. That’s something I was born with.”
Klopp has already attempted to stir things up ahead of this weekend’s clash at St James’ Park. Speaking out against the Premier League’s new rule requiring no assistance on the sidelines, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers claimed that Howe and his helper Jason Tindall would be the most affected.
When asked about the German’s remarks, Howe declined to get into another verbal brawl. “I wouldn’t say I laugh at the comments,” he said. Others may have an opinion. That’s all right. That is not a problem for me. You just kind of roll with it, let it go, and focus on my team.”