Howe’s first task would be to get Newcastle out of the relegation zone. The club, which has wealthy new owners but cannot buy any players as of January, are second in the standings, five points away from the safety zone, having failed to win a league game so far this season.
-𝗔𝗬 We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Eddie Howe as the new head coach of the club. Welk… https://t.co/Ra10cf9kWB
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) 1636383642000
Howe, 43, has been out of a job since leaving Bournemouth in August 2020, as the South-Coast club was relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season.
“It is a great honor to be the head coach of a club with the stature and history of Newcastle United. It is a very proud day for me and my family,” Howe said in a statement from the club.
“It’s a great opportunity, but we have a lot of work ahead of us and I look forward to getting on the training ground to start working with the players.”
Graeme Jones was interim manager for the last three games, when Bruce left following a takeover of 80% by a consortium of clubs – led by Saudi Arabia’s PIF Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Howe was tied 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Their first game in charge will be after an international break when Brentford visit St James’ Park on 20 November.
Newcastle have five points from 11 games but are no stranger to dogfights for Howe, who has been in charge of Bournemouth for more than 450 games in two spells at the Vitality Stadium for more than a decade.
Following his appointment in the middle of the 2008–09 season, he kept Bournemouth up in the fourth-tier League Two, avoiding relegation to a non-league despite having docked 17 points amid crippling loans.
The miraculous escape was followed by three promotions in six years as Howe finally propelled them to the top flight in 2015 when they won the championship.
Bournemouth established themselves in the Premier League under Howe, abandoning the defensive practicality that was common among newly-promoted sides to play lucrative football.
The club spent five seasons in the Premier League and also finished ninth in the 2016–17 campaign.
“We have been incredibly impressed with Eddie going through a rigorous recruitment process,” said Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley.
“As well as his clear achievements with Bournemouth, where he has had a transformative impact, he is a passionate and dynamic coach who has clear ideas on how to take this team and the club forward.
“She is a great fit for what we are trying to build here. We are delighted to welcome Eddie and his staff to St. James Park and look forward to working together towards our collective ambitions.” ”
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