Eddie Howe's Newcastle Revolution: From Relegation Fears to Wembley Final
When Eddie Howe watched Newcastle United struggle to a 1-1 draw against Brighton on November 6, 2021, the club sat second from bottom in the Premier League, staring at relegation. Despite a recent Saudi Arabian-backed takeover that promised Champions League football and trophies, such ambitions seemed like distant dreams. Fast forward just 18 months, and Howe had not only kept Newcastle in the top flight but guided them back to European competition and now stands on the brink of ending the club's 70-year wait for major silverware.
Howe's journey to Newcastle was built on a remarkable foundation at Bournemouth, where across two spells he rescued the club from potential relegation from the Football League and eventually led them to the Premier League. His approach to management was heavily influenced by two key figures: his former Bournemouth boss Sean O'Driscoll and legendary basketball coach John Wooden.
The connection with O'Driscoll began when Howe was just 14 years old in Bournemouth's youth setup. O'Driscoll, then still a player, would drive the young Howe to training from their shared village. Years later, O'Driscoll would manage Howe, who became impressed with his forward-thinking style. "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 philosophy centered on creativity and possession, and his man-management avoided shouting and criticism – traits that Howe has clearly adopted. Meanwhile, Wooden's influence came through his books, which Howe discovered early in his management career. Wooden's approach of treating players as individuals with unique concerns resonated deeply with Howe, who became determined to know each player personally and work on their specific weaknesses.
Upon arriving at Newcastle, Howe immediately implemented his methods with intensity. His workday would begin at 6am and often continue late into the evening. Players' days off were reduced while training sessions were moved earlier and became significantly more demanding.
BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck noted: "Jonjo Shelvey said that when Howe first came in he would be so tired by the training that he would be in bed by 8pm. The players were shattered but he made them fitter, he made them better individually and he made the team better."
Defender Dan Burn, despite the intensity, found training enjoyable: "What I find crazy about the gaffer's training is that we never seem to do the same session twice. 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."
According to Burn, Howe quickly cultivated an "us against the world" mentality, which combined with improved fitness led to better results. Newcastle finished 11th in the Premier League, an impressive 14 points clear of relegation after looking doomed when Howe arrived.
The manager's personal approach has been particularly impactful. "First and foremost he wants to know how you are as a person rather than as just a footballer, that's what sets him above other managers I've worked under," Burn told Newcastle's official website.
Midfielder Sean Longstaff shared a touching example: "I am a dad now and you can speak to him about advice and stuff. He pulled me in once and gave me a book that he gave to his children. It is more the part that people don't see, it is why I love him so much."
Perhaps no player exemplifies Howe's transformative impact better than Joelinton. The Brazilian joined Newcastle in 2019 for £40m as a striker but struggled to score goals and was widely considered an expensive failure. Howe saw something different and repositioned him as a midfielder, where Joelinton has since flourished with his combative performances and tough tackling.
"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. He is one of the best coaches I've ever had, not just as a coach but in general as a man. 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."
Newcastle's improvement accelerated dramatically in Howe's first full season, culminating in a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification. While the financial backing of the new owners helped – Howe spent £85m in his first transfer window to bolster the relegation-threatened squad – his recruitment focused on character and fit rather than just star power. Players like Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, and Kieran Trippier arrived in January 2022, followed by Alexander Isak (for a club record £63m), Sven Botman, Matt Targett, and Nick Pope that summer.
A pre-season training camp in the Austrian Alps proved crucial in building the team's bond, evidenced by the now-traditional group photos posted after victories. "They published the first dressing room photo after the first win under Howe against Burnley," Raisbeck explained. "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 brought Newcastle to Wembley for their first cup final in almost two decades, though they fell 2-0 to Manchester United in the League Cup final. But perhaps the pinnacle of Howe's tenure came on October 4, 2023, when Newcastle hosted Champions League football for the first time in over 20 years and dismantled Paris Saint-Germain 4-1.
"This was Newcastle United at their best," Raisbeck 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. Winning a trophy will be a hurdle they have to overcome to get to that top level."
Despite struggles with injuries and inconsistency this season, Monday night's win against West Ham has Newcastle firmly in contention for a top-four finish and heading into the Carabao Cup final with momentum. For transforming Newcastle from relegation candidates to Champions League participants, Howe has already achieved remarkable success. Should they now win a trophy against Liverpool, his status as a Newcastle legend would be undeniable.
