Former Newcastle United captain Jonjo Shelvey has shared his admiration for Eddie Howe two-and-a-half years after leaving.
While it has been a long time since he wore the black and white stripes, many fans still have a lot of time for midfielder Jonjo Shelvey.
The 33-year-old spent seven years on Tyneside, helping Newcastle United return to the Premier League under Rafa Benitez, then ensuring they stayed in the top flight for the next few years.
While he was a key part of the squad under Steve Bruce, his game time dwindled under Eddie Howe, who moved Joelinton into midfield and signed Bruno Guimaraes not long after arriving at the club.
Shelvey abruptly left Newcastle for Nottingham Forest in 2023, but not before saying goodbye to the fans at St James’ Park one last time. Looking back on his time under Howe in a recent interview, Shelvey could not help but speak highly of his former manager.
Jonjo Shelvey gives instruction to Eddie Howe during a Carabao Cup game between Newcastle United and Bournemouth.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Jonjo Shelvey sings Eddie Howe’s praises despite sudden Newcastle United departure
Dwight Gayle thought Shelvey was ‘unbelievable‘ but fans never got to see much of him under Howe, especially in that 2022/23 season, where he only made three appearances before joining Forest.
Even though he has played for four clubs since his exit, Shelvey still lives in Newcastle with his family, a reflection of what he thinks of the city.
Now, in a recent interview with NUFC360, Shelvey has shared his thoughts on Howe as a person and a manager.
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“It was a pleasure to work with him on the training ground.
“He’s one of them you could just pick up the phone to if you ever had a problem, or if you’re going down the coaching route looking for advice, he’s the one who would just give you any time of day.
“I still see him when I’m driving about in the city. I’ve not got a bad word to say about him. I was so happy for him personally when they won the Carabao Cup.
“The way he comes across in the media of how classy, it’s not an act, he’s like that in general, but as soon as he goes across that white line the level of detail and what he wants from you in that role, he just makes it so clear and you just want to run through a brick wall for him.”
Jonjo Shelvey is still looking for a new club after leaving Burnley
Shelvey has been on a strange journey since leaving Newcastle. The midfielder was made available by Forest just a few months after he joined. He ended up moving to Turkey for the 2023/24 season.
The former England international left Caykur Rizespor for Eyupspor in summer 2024, before moving to Burnley in January 2025, where he was managed by former Newcastle man Scott Parker.
Shelvey made just two league appearances before being released by Burnley, and he still remains without a club after the transfer window closed.
In June, it was reported that Shelvey had gone on trial with Hull City and was in talks over a possible move, but that has not come to fruition, and he remains a free agent.
Whatever club he joins next, Newcastle fans will surely keep an eye on how he performs.