Eddie Howe is the chosen first Saudi era coach at Newcastle United Even though someone else was previously chosen.
Even though the richest club in the world will soon not be playing in the second division of England – even if it is the richest second division in the world – Eddie Howe wants to prevent that from now on. The 43-year-old has taken over as coach at stumbling soon-to-be giants Newcastle United, having previously turned down the job by Unai Emery
The Magpies had unsurprisingly parted company with Steve Bruce after the Saudi takeover Graeme Jones had temporarily taken the reins, but had not really been able to make an impact either. Newcastle are still winless after ten matchdays and last but one in the Premier League, level on points with bottom-placed and promoted Norwich.
Howe’s task will be to at least somehow keep the sinking ship afloat so that heavy investment can be made in January and the following summer. His contract runs until summer 2024.
It is the first coaching job for the southern-born Howe since July 2020, when he and AFC Bournemouth agreed to call it quits after almost 12 years together – with a brief break as Burnley coach from January 2011 to October 2012.
After notable years in the top flight, Howe and Bournemouth were relegated in the 2019/20 season. The former centre-back had previously been repeatedly linked with more lucrative jobs as Arsenal or Tottenham or even England coach, but he had always remained loyal to Bournemouth.