Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

Micah Richards, Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer pass judgement on Eddie Howe appointment

2 years ago
Share

Micah Richards has given his verdict on Newcastle United appointing Eddie Howe.

As part of BBC analysis on the new NUFC Head Coach as he approaches his first game, the former Manchester City and England defender thinks it is a ‘big job’ that Howe faces BUT believes he will do well at his new club.

Micah Richards declaring about Eddie Howe: ‘I love his ideas and enthusiasm. He does play exciting football but it will take a bit of time.’

With the mess that Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce have left the club and team in, time is of the essence when it comes to the short-term. Not a single win in the opening twelve matches and new owners taking over at a point in time when still almost three months away from being able to influence things via the transfer market.

In this BBC Sport feature below, as well as Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton also give their verdicts on Eddie Howe and Newcastle United’s current situation.

The trio with varying degrees of positivity…

BBC Sport feature on Eddie Howe joining Newcastle United:

What happened?

Steve Bruce left Newcastle on 20 October, 13 days after the Saudi Arabia-backed £305m takeover of the club was completed.

The club made Villarreal boss Unai Emery their first choice to succeed Bruce, but he turned down their approach. The Magpies instead turned to Howe, who returns to management for the first time since leaving Bournemouth in August 2020 following relegation.

What has he achieved?

Howe took Bournemouth from the bottom of League Two to the Premier League, either side of a short spell at Burnley.

He kept the south coast club there for five seasons, finishing 16th, ninth, 12th and 14th before relegation at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

Key signings

A number of players signed when Bournemouth were in the lower divisions flourished when they entered the top flight, including Josh King, Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Matt Ritchie – with Wilson, Fraser and Ritchie now reunited with Howe at Newcastle.

However, some of Howe’s other big-money signings struggled to justify their hefty transfer fees, including the combined £34m to sign Dominic Solanke and Jordon Ibe from Liverpool.

What they said about Eddie Howe:

Chris Sutton:

“He clearly wasn’t first choice.

“I don’t think Newcastle have handled things well with the leaked proposal for Unai Emery.

“They had to get someone in. I like Eddie Howe, I think he’s a smart guy, but he’s got one hell of a job on.

“He’s got to get his recruitment right in January and it’s about staying up.”

Micah Richards:

“I think Eddie Howe will be good.

“We worked with him on Match of the Day 2 and I love his ideas and enthusiasm.

“He does play exciting football but it will take a bit of time.

“Emery was a blow but in terms of where Howe got Bournemouth, coming to Newcastle after being out the game when you can rethink your strategy – it’s a big job but I think he can do well.”

Alan Shearer:

“He knows the Premier League.

“I know people will bring up his relegation at Bournemouth but I think that was a mistake on his part in terms of staying at Bournemouth that amount of time. There was talk of Arsenal and England – he perhaps should have got out earlier at Bournemouth.

“He’ll come back refreshed. There’s an incredible amount of experience there, I think he’ll come back hungry.”

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks