second banana

Noun

Meaning

someone who serves in a subordinate capacity or plays a secondary role

a performer who acts as stooge to a comedian

Source: WordNet

second-banana

second fiddle straight man second assistant deputy minion junior substitute subordinate chorus understudy aide sidekick second-rater junior varsity

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lord manager householder proprietress host leader

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Norse myths tend to play second banana to Greek myths, but they’re everywhere—if you know where to look. Source: Internet

We can take this to mean that Howard wants a team of his own, where he has to play second banana to no one. Source: Internet