Derek Fazackerley admits there will be a little nostalgia for him when Oxford United host Newcastle United in The Emirates FA Cup this weekend.
The former England assistant coach, now working as Oxford boss Michael Appleton’s right-hand man, spent six years at St. James’ Park during Kevin Keegan’s first spell with the north-east giants during the 1990s.
And he admits it’s a club which he still holds close to his heart, whilst also plotting a way for his current side to oust them from the competition.
"I had six years up there and four of them were very, very special and it's a fantastic football club,” Fazackerley told Yellow Player.
"We had tremendous success there in terms of taking them from the lower reaches of the Championship and into the Premier League and European places - it was just a fantastic experience.
"The playing personnel and staff have changed, but Newcastle as a football club hasn't changed, they've still got the same passionate support, a fantastic stadium and training facilities.
"It's a club that's got huge potential, but unfortunately at this time they're not in the Premier League. From a footballing perspective, I imagine that's the main focus of this season - to get back into the Premier League.”
