Newcastle are on the cusp of an exciting new season with Champions League football returning to St James' Park
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe celebrates gaining a Champions League place
Eddie Howe guided Newcastle back to the Champions League(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Eddie Howe has not just transformed the fortunes of Newcastle United - but he the whole city aligned in the same direction as he looks to lead a second Champions League campaign at St james' Park.
The United head coach has turned the Magpies from relegation battles to top-four contenders and Carabao Cup winners, and has been supported by the club's Saudi-backed owners every step of the way.
The £55m signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest is the latest sign of backing for the Newcastle boss, with more transfers expected in the coming weeks.
The 2021 takeover breathed new life into the club, but veteran campaigner Tony Pulis feels Howe has to be given huge credit for how he has galvanised the team - with the whole city of Newcastle following his lead.
Tony Pulis, Manager of West Bromwich Albion (L) hugs Eddie Howe, Manager of AFC Bournemouth (R)
Tony Pulis greets Eddie Howe in 2016
"There are so many clubs in the Championship, huge clubs, that look like a good pick for investment," Puls told Fruity King.
"The important thing is aligning all the groups together and getting into the Premier League and staying there.
"Look at Eddie Howe and Newcastle, he has a system of play that is counter-attacking and they defend with togetherness. He has brought a great spirit to the club but extended from that – the city.
"What Eddie's doing, what the directors are doing, what the players are doing - you've got this alignment and it's very difficult to achieve, but it can be achieved and once you do it, there's no stopping you.
"Eddie's got not just the team onside, he's got the whole city onside.
"So they're 100 per cent behind their football club and that's what the communities and clubs in different towns or cities up and down England, that's what they want."
Newcastle are expected to step up their transfer activity before their first pre-season friendly against Celtic next Saturday, with talks ongoing over a deal to sign Burnley goakeeper James Trafford.
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