Football journalist Craig Hope has stated that he believes that Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe could be one of ‘the next great’ managers.
In November, the former Bournemouth man has handed the lead role with the Magpies after Steve Bruce’s departure. He came in with the club 19th in the Premier League table, five points from safety after 11 games.
Just a matter of months later, however, he has the team in 14th, nine points above the relegation zone having played 29 league games.
It’s fair to say, with the swift turnaround, Howe has impressed plenty and Hope feels that he has done enough to suggest he could be the man to lead the club forward over the long term as they aim to establish themselves at the top of British football.
Indeed, while speaking on the True Faith NUFC Podcast he said (14:18): “Eddie Howe, the age he is and everything we’ve seen so far, how he handles himself, how the players have responded to him, I really do think this isn’t Manchester City’s Mark Hughes.
“This isn’t you know, phase one: Eddie Howe will be replaced three or four years down the line.
“I really think they’ve hit upon a manager who could be one of the next great big British managers, I do.
“Bearing in mind the body of work he’s got behind him, and the relatively young age he is at, and the football club is sat upon now with the level of resource and ambition, and everything there in terms of the stadium, the supporters. Everything is ready for takeoff.”
TIF thoughts on Eddie Howe and Newcastle…
Considering Howe has only been at the club for such a short amount of time, it’s quite the claim from Hope. In fairness though, the manager has already achieved some pretty remarkable things in his career.
Indeed, in January 2008, Bournemouth were bottom of League Two, ten points adrift of safety following a 17 point deduction for financial reasons. As we all know, Howe kept them up and eventually led the club into the Premier League.
Will Eddie Howe be NUFC boss three years from now?
Yes
No
When you look at a feat such as that, and what he has achieved at Newcastle already, it’s clear to see why Hope has put such high expectations on Howe.
But those achievements were about surviving near the bottom, only time will tell if the NUFC boss can help the club thrive at the top of English football.
In other news: ‘Interesting…’ – Lee Ryder reacts to development out of Newcastle