Amidst this backdrop of uncertainty, Eddie Howe, soon-to-be Newcastle manager, was watching intently from the stands at Brighton’s Amex Stadium. In just 18 months, he would guide his new team to not only secure their place in European competition but also put them within a win of ending a 70-year drought for major silverware.
This is the tale of Howe's remarkable transformation of Newcastle United.
How it All Began - The Making of Howe
Two individuals had a profound influence on Howe's managerial style: Sean O'Driscoll, his former Bournemouth boss, and John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach.
O'Driscoll first encountered Howe when he was still a player at Bournemouth, and the young Eddie was in the club’s youth setup. They lived in the same village, and O'Driscoll would drive Howe to training sessions. When O'Driscoll later managed Howe as a professional player, his forward-thinking approach left a lasting impression.
"I certainly believe Sean had a huge part in my management style," Howe said. "I was very lucky, as a young professional, to have such a forward-thinking coach as Sean."
O'Driscoll’s football philosophy emphasized creativity and possession, with a man-management style that avoided shouting and criticizing players—traits now characteristic of Howe's approach.
In his office at Bournemouth, quotes from Wooden adorned the walls, including "make each day your masterpiece." Inspired by Wooden after reading one of his books early in his managerial career, Howe adopted views on maximizing player potential. He recognized that treating players as individuals with unique issues and concerns was key to their development.
From this inspiration, Howe became committed to understanding each player both as a footballer and as a person, working diligently to address individual weaknesses and foster growth.
'Father Figure' Who Improved Players
Eddie Howe wasted no time in implementing his methods at Newcastle. His rigorous schedule began with early morning starts at 6am and often continued late into the evening. Player days off were reduced, and training sessions were brought forward to earlier times, becoming more intense.
"[Jonjo Shelvey] said that when Howe first came in, he would be so tired by the training that he’d be in bed by 8pm," Matthew Raisbeck of BBC Radio Newcastle noted. "The players were shattered but they became fitter and better individually and as a team."
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn echoed this sentiment: "What I find crazy about the gaffer's training is that we never seem to do the same session twice," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He has so many sessions saved, and every single day is something completely new. I really enjoy training and it’s something I look forward to every day."
Burn added that Howe quickly instilled an "us against the world" mentality, which, combined with improved fitness levels, led to significant improvements in Newcastle's form. The team finished 11th in the Premier League, a full 14 points clear of the relegation zone despite being in peril when Howe took over.
Utilizing his man-management techniques learned from O'Driscoll and Wooden, Howe got to know each player personally—understanding their personalities and what drives them.
"First and foremost he wants to know how you are as a person rather than just as a footballer," Burn told Newcastle's official website. "That’s what sets him above other managers I’ve worked under."
Midfielder Sean Longstaff further emphasized Howe's paternal qualities: "I am a dad now, and you can speak to him about advice and stuff," he said. "He pulled me in once and gave me a book that he gives to his children. It’s more the part that people don’t see, it is why I love him so much."
One of the most notable examples of Howe's ability to transform players is Joelinton. The Brazilian signed for Newcastle in 2019 from Hoffenheim for £40m as a striker but struggled to score goals initially, earning criticism as an expensive flop. Howe saw potential and moved Joelinton into midfield.
"He improved me as a player, not just me but other players that were here before him," Joelinton said. "He changed my position but in general his mentality, his passion, his desire to work every day and work hard to improve."
Joelinton's performance in midfield earned widespread praise for his combative play and tough tackling. He has since become a key player for Newcastle.
"He is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, not just as a coach but in general as a man," Joelinton continued. "The way he treats every player, he talks not just about football but about life; he is always here for us. He is like a father figure."
Spending Big as Newcastle Go from Relegation Battlers to Champions League Contenders
Newcastle's meteoric rise under Eddie Howe saw them transform from relegation contenders into serious title challengers and Champions League participants in a remarkably short period of time. In his first full season, Howe led the team to a fourth-place finish, securing a return to the UEFA Champions League.
The financial backing provided by Newcastle's new owners played a significant role in this rapid improvement. During his first transfer window in January 2022, Howe spent £85 million bolstering the squad for their fight against relegation. The acquisitions included key players like Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, and Kieran Trippier.
Although these were not necessarily star-studded transfers, the signings were critical to Newcastle's survival in the league at that time. Once the team secured safety, they made more substantial investments, spending £123 million on new signings during the summer of 2022.
Notable additions included Alexander Isak, a Swedish striker signed from Real Sociedad for a club record £63 million. Other significant signings were Sven Botman (£35m), Matt Targett (£15m), and Nick Pope (£10m).
A pre-season training camp in the Austrian Alps helped to foster strong bonds between players and coaching staff, which would prove crucial throughout the 2022-23 season. This unity was evident during victories, as the team posted huge group photos on social media.
Raisbeck noted: "They published the first dressing room photo after the first win under Howe against Burnley. His explanation for why they did it was that he wanted the players and staff in the future to be able to look back and have memories of what they achieved, and remember the highs of these specific games."
The 2022-23 season was particularly special for Newcastle fans, not just for securing a return to top-level European football but also for reaching their first cup final at Wembley in nearly two decades. They faced Manchester United in February 2023 in the League Cup final.
Thousands of Newcastle fans filled Trafalgar Square before the game, creating memorable scenes. However, despite the excitement and anticipation, Newcastle lost the match 2-0 to Manchester United.
In summary, through a combination of strategic spending, strong team unity, and Howe's tactical acumen, Newcastle went from battling relegation to competing for Champions League spots in an incredibly short period of time.
A Chance to Write His Name into the History Books
The pinnacle of Newcastle's transformation under Eddie Howe was reached on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, when St James' Park hosted Champions League football for the first time in over two decades. In a thrilling match, Newcastle defeated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), led by Kylian Mbappé, with an impressive score of 4-1.
Raisbeck reflected on this moment: "This was Newcastle United at their best," he said. "It will be talked about forever. It showed what they were capable of at that moment but also, hopefully, a glimpse of what can be their reality for years to come."
However, challenges lay ahead as Newcastle faced difficulties in both European and Premier League competition while dealing with an extensive injury crisis that saw them without 20 players at some points. During this period, they experienced a run of just one win in seven games from 7 December until 13 January 2024, leading to some speculation about Howe being under pressure.
Despite these struggles, Newcastle's form improved enough to secure a respectable seventh-place finish by the end of the season. Inconsistency and injuries continued to be issues this season as well, but Monday night’s win against West Ham has put them back in contention for a top-four finish. Additionally, they are heading into the Carabao Cup final with momentum.
For taking Newcastle from relegation battles to Champions League qualification, Howe's achievements are remarkable. Should they now secure a trophy, he will undoubtedly earn legendary status among the club’s supporters and in football history.
In summary, Eddie Howe has led Newcastle through an incredible transformation, showing resilience and tactical brilliance. With potential victories on the horizon and continued improvement, there is every reason to believe that Howe's legacy at Newcastle could be one for the ages.