Football Insider’s John Wenham is full of praise for the decision to reward Eddie Howe with a new contract at Newcastle United.
The lowdown: New deal
Appointed in November 2021, Howe has overseen an immediate upturn in fortunes at St James’ Park and was able to guide the Magpies well clear of the threat of relegation.
The 44-year-old manager has since added a further three players to the ranks this summer having signed Kieran Tripper, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn during the January window.
Following the confirmed news that Howe has signed a new long-term deal in the North East, one pundit has suggested that the Englishman is right up there with the very best.
The latest: ‘Phenomenal job’
Speaking to Football Insider, Wenham – an insider who breaks mostly Tottenham news on his Lilywhite Rose social media channels – lauded the work done by the former Bournemouth man since arriving in Newcastle.
He said: “Eddie Howe has done a phenomenal job at Newcastle. When he took over he lost Wilson to injury straight away. Trippier then came in and he went out injured after three games.
“He has done a phenomenal job and I really like the recruitment this summer. Pope and Matt Targett are great deals.
“Howe has been very good in the window so far, I can’t think of any bad signings Newcastle have made under him. He is getting the best out of the players and he started off with a positive result and a clean sheet. It’s a well-deserved contract and I’m really pleased to see a young English manager doing well at a big club like Newcastle.”
The verdict: Spot on
Having kickstarted the 2022/23 campaign with a 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, the Toon are certainly enjoying a new lease of life under Howe and indeed the ownership group.
Still with time remaining in the transfer window, it remains to be seen whether the man in the hot seat will seek further reinforcements in order to mount a sustained challenge at the higher end of the Premier League.
Working in conjunction with sporting director Dan Ashworth, Newcastle have been heavily linked to numerous stars such as Anthony Gordon, James Maddison and Maxi Gomez in recent weeks and adding at least one more attacking option to the ranks would make Howe’s job potentially even more impressive moving forwards.
Whatever happens between now and September 1, this new deal and current feel-good factor on Tyneside are a far cry from the previous incumbents and have certainly given the Magpies’ faithful something to be optimistic about once again.