Brentford boss Thomas Frank gets Newcastle United wish as Eddie Howe prepares for first game as cup winners

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Newcastle United are gearing up to face Brentford on Wednesday night in what will be their first competitive game as trophy winners since 1969.

It was an agonising wait for fans who had to endure several final defeats and decades of early cup exits before finally getting to see silverware return to Tyneside.

Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup in March thanks to a soaring header from Dan Burn and a fine second-half finish by superstar striker Alexander Isak. Opponents Liverpool scored late on, but it was a mere consolation as the 32,000 Newcastle fans erupted at the final whistle.

Toon boss Eddie Howe embarked on an open-top bus parade throughout the city with his players on Saturday. It was an event like few Newcastle fans had ever seen, but one that will live long in the memory.

Howe was shocked at how many Newcastle fans turned up, admitting that it was ‘something else’.

It is now business as usual after Saturday’s festivities, with attentions turning back to the Premier League when Howe’s men welcome Thomas Frank’s Brentford to St James’ Park. Newcastle beat the Bees in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup thanks to a brace from Sandro Tonali.

It was after that game that Frank made a big admission about the Magpies, which ended up coming true.

Thomas Frank wanted Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup

Frank has had a very hot and cold relationship with Newcastle in the past, with the 51-year-old having his fair share of things to say about the club.

Before their first Premier League clash of the season last December, Frank praised Newcastle’s performances but admitted he was surprised by their league position at the time.

However, after losing to them in the Carabao Cup, Frank suggested Newcastle were lucky to win after claiming they had ‘nothing’ going for them.

Despite those comments, there is clearly mutual respect between the Dane and Howe. It was even more evident after what he said when Newcastle beat them to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

In a bizarre admission, Frank said he thought Newcastle would win the Carabao Cup, admitting how nice it would be to see a new winner instead of the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal reaching the final.

“Yes I think they [Newcastle] can [win the Carabao Cup],” he said last December.

“I said to Eddie [Howe] I hope they win it.”

Frank will be quietly pleased that his wishes came true, although he will surely not let that get in the way of Wednesday’s game.

• READ MORE – Alan Shearer reveals what Eddie Howe banned his Newcastle players from during Carabao Cup party

The honeymoon period is ending at Newcastle United

Wednesday’s game means that fans will now come back to reality following a euphoric two weeks. Newcastle had several players out on international duty, meaning the full squad could only share the achievement with the wider fanbase on Saturday.

However, Newcastle players have been seen partying all over the world following the win at Wembley earlier this month.

Members of the Newcastle squad celebrated in Dubai while the likes of Burn, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento were on England duty.

Joelinton celebrated in Brazil after returning to his national team. The midfielder was seen at a party decked out with Newcastle banners and props while the man himself donned his cup winners medal.

The last two weeks have felt like a honeymoon for Newcastle fans. The city has been buzzing since the cup win, but now it’s back to business as the Magpies look to return to the Champions League next season.