A closer look at those who failed before Eddie Howe was up for the cup

Eddie Howe became the first manager in 70 years to guide Newcastle to domestic silverware when they beat Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup.

Not since Duggie Livingstone presided over the Tyneside club’s 1955 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City has the St James’ Park trophy cabinet been opened to welcome one of English football’s big prizes.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the men who came closest to ending that wait before 47-year-old Howe, who himself suffered the disappointment of a 2023 League Cup final defeat by Manchester United, finally got the job done.

Joe Harvey

However, Liverpool – and future Magpies boss Kevin Keegan in particular – had different ideas with the England international scoring twice in a 3-0 victory for the Reds beneath the Twin Towers.

Gordon Lee

Hopes were high when Alan Gowling cancelled out Peter Barnes’ opener, but Dennis Tueart’s spectacular overhead kick ultimately won it for City.

Kevin Keegan

However, they lost five of their last 13 games as United claimed 34 of the 39 points available to them during the same period to overhaul the men from the north-east.

Kenny Dalglish

However, it was his misfortune to find Arsene Wenger’s title-winning Arsenal standing in his way and goals from Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka either side of half-time saw them complete the double.

Ruud Gullit

The Dutchman was even more unlucky than his predecessor to be pitched into battle with a soon-to-be-knighted Manchester United boss Ferguson, who looked on as Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes netted to clinch the second leg of an unprecedented treble four days before the Red Devils beat Bayern Munich in Barcelona to add the Champions League to their Premier League crown.