But ahead of a reunion at West Ham today, Eddie Howe can now confess that the striker is one of his favourite players from his managerial career.
"Yes, without a doubt, I can say that now," admitted Howe of Wilson, who he signed at Bournemouth and linked up with again at St James' Park.
"Having seen the rise of Callum and having signed him \[at Bournemouth from Coventry\], obviously back then he wasn't the player he turned out to be and he had to go through a period of redevelopment.
"But he did that straight away and was one of the rare players I signed who went straight in. He scored on his debut – two goals – and never looked back.
"And then there was seeing how he adapted to the various challenges that thrown at him.
"He had unwavering self confidence but it was never arrogance. He had it perfectly in the right place. And then he never changed with success which is one of the key fundamentals. He is still the same person today as he was at the beginning of his career.
“So for all those reasons and seeing how hard he has worked at his game, he is absolutely right up there.”
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Wilson scored 49 goals in 130 competitive appearances for [Newcastle](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastleunited/?ref=ed_direct) before leaving last summer at the end of his contract and signing for the Hammers, who the Magpies face at the London Stadium this afternoon (2pm).
"My love for Callum is as high as it could ever be," said Howe.
"As a a player and a person, what he did for me, the games he played, the goals he scored at Bournemouth and Newcastle and the attitude he played with on and off the pitch.
"The injuries he suffered and his character to fight through them, I could not respect him anymore.
"Sometimes for everybody it is best to part ways. That is the sad thing in life and football.
"You can't stay together forever but I wish him well and I am watching him and hope for the best."