A few months have passed since Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.
After the game, a tearful Howe reflected on “the people that aren’t with you” – including his late mum Anne.
She was a single parent who raised Howe and his siblings while holding down several jobs, and encouraged Howe to follow his dreams.
“She’s still with me every day,” he said. “It’s a difficult one because you’re not consciously thinking about her on a minute-by-minute basis or even a day-by-day basis to a degree.
“But I know that her spirit, her courage and her determination is with me in so many different ways in how I act and behave. I know she’s willing me on from somewhere, and very proud. I just hope to do her justice in the way that I work.
“I feel I have a duty to protect her legacy by how I conduct myself in what I do. I’m very driven for more success. I’m very determined to do my best, which is all I can do, and hopefully that will be good enough.”
Howe is also intent on making those closest to him proud after they followed him up from the south coast.
His wife Vicki and sons Harry, Rocky and Theo have certainly bought into life on Tyneside.
Howe said: “I asked my youngest to do something yesterday and his answer was: ‘Howay dad!’ I always have a little second glance and check their language.
“It’s brilliant that they’re fully immersed in the Newcastle way of life, the language, the way of thinking. It’s such a great area with such positive, driven and motivated people. I’m very proud that they are going to be adopted Geordies.”
Howe acknowledged his family are one of a small group of people who see the “down days” and said they were “very supportive”.
“They know when to leave dad alone just for a few minutes and let him digest what has just happened,” he said. “Sometimes they can be brutal with a joke that actually lifts the atmosphere. You take it in a light-hearted way because it’s coming from such a good place.
“They are absolutely vital in enabling me to work and enjoy my life. They’re part of it and I’m very proud of them.”
Howe, undoubtedly, has had a challenging summer but remains determined to make this season another one to remember.
“If you can’t be excited by what we have to come – the Champions League, all the competitions we are going to be in – there is something wrong,” he said.
