Kieran Trippier says that he did not even contemplate requesting a relegation release clause the moment he swapped sunny Madrid for Newcastle United last January - because he knew that Eddie Howe would steer the club to safety.
Howe will celebrate his one-year anniversary as Newcastle sitting in a European place with the position all very different to when Trippier first put pen to paper when United were second bottom of the table. Yet Trippier, who worked with Howe at Burnley, had full confidence in the plans moving forward.
Trippier told Chronicle Live: "He was a big part of my decision to sign. I had big long conversations with the gaffer about the way he wants the club to run, the way he wants the thought process to be in the long run. I didn't sign anything like a clause if we got relegated I'd go, there was nothing like that. I believed in everything that the gaffer said and everything that the owners said. I just thought 'Why not?' you know."
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Trippier has been a major part of Newcastle's stunning turnaround in 2022 having a hand in clean sheets and the glut of goals this year with his quick thinking and ability to get on the front-foot. His three goals and two assists since signing are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his overall contributions.
Trippier reflected: "I'd worked with the manager before and I know what he expects and demands in training and games. It's just go for it and attack it."
Newcastle could sign off before the World Cup break in style in huge games away to Southampton and at home to Chelsea with confidence flowing. There is also the chance to book a place in round four of the League Cup if they can get past Crystal Palace.
Yet Newcastle star Trippier has a sensible approach to what has been a wonderful start. Trippier said: "It is only the start. Newcastle have had to go through a lot recently. I feel like they deserve this moment. We are performing well and high up in the table but most importantly we have to stay grounded."
The full-back also says Howe, himself and the senior leadership group are making one thing abundantly clear behind the scenes. Trippier said: "There's so much more to improve on. I feel like we can improve so much on the pitch. But the results are there of course. "I feel like we can improve and go up an extra few levels for sure."
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