NUFC absolutely LOVE the Carabao Cup 😍
Newcastle United have enjoyed some journey since Eddie Howe’s appointment in November 2021.
Steve Bruce has credited Newcastle United’s first transfer window under Saudi-backed ownership as the cornerstone of Eddie Howe’s reign as manager.
This weekend marks the four-year anniversary of Howe’s arrival in November 2021. The Toon boss replaced Bruce in the hot seat to kick-start the post-Mike Ashley era at St James' Park.
Initially, there was zero new manager bounce as the Magpies won just one of their first 10 games across all competitions. The most notable result was the shock 1-0 FA Cup exit on home soil to Cambridge United.
Eddie Howe turnaround
Grinding out a 1-0 win at Leeds United in January 2021 proved the turning point, with Newcastle never looking back and going on to easily secure promotion. That same month, the Magpies bolstered their ranks with several key additions, including Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn.
Howe has gone on to lead Newcastle to Carabao Cup success and multiple Champions League qualifications. He is rightfully revered on Tyneside as an all-time great but, following a turbulent summer window, has endured a sticky start to the Premier League campaign.
Steve Bruce reflects on Eddie Howe
Speaking to talkSPORT, former Newcastle boss Bruce pinpointed the January transfer window as the turning point while crowning Howe as the best English coach at present. The 64-year-old said: “He (Howe) found it difficult to start with. He really turned it around in January and I think his first few signings, (Kieran) Trippier in particular and the big boy Dan Burn, hit the ground running very quickly.
“I’ve said it many times, I recommended Eddie to the board before I left. I had a conversation with Amanda (Staveley) and her husband and put forward Eddie. He’s a very talented manager and arguably as good an English manager as we have at the moment.
“If you’re in football, you’re going to have a bad month or a bad few weeks. Look at Arne Slot, it can happen to anybody.”
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West Ham United comparisons
Newcastle took an unlikely hiding on Sunday to West Ham United as their away-day hiccups continued. The Hammers had been under the cosh, sitting six points adrift from safety and fan discontent towards the ownership rising.
Bruce compared the situation at the London Stadium to his own stint as Newcastle manager. He added: “It’s a good point you make and I experienced that at Newcastle for sure. It was a different Newcastle back then to what it is now. The whole emphasis on Newcastle back in my tenure was to stay in the Premier League.
“That’s a bit different to what all the Newcastle fans want. And I suggest that’s probably what West Ham want. It’s not enough just to stay in the Premier League. They (the fans) want to be competing at the top end and competing like they were a couple of years ago under (David) Moyes.
“Some of them were chanting for Moyes (to be sacked) after he’d done such a wonderful job! It’s very difficult for any manager to quell ground support against the owner. You’ve got to work hard and it’s all judged on one thing… results will certainly help you.”
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