Who is Eddie Howe? New Newcastle United manager in profile - ex Bournemouth boss’ record, tactics and signings

Eddie Howe has been pictured taking his first training sessions at Newcastle United since being appointed head coach.

The former Bournemouth boss can be seen bellowing instructions on the training pitch to his players, as he puts them through their paces during the international break.

Howe, who emerged as the favourite to succeed Steve Bruce after Unai Emery ruled himself out of contention, is preparing his troops for the visit of Brentford on Saturday 20 November.

Here’s a look at Howe’s managerial career so far - from his record at Bournemouth to the tactics used and the signings made...

Who is Eddie Howe?

Howe was born in Amersham, England in 1977 and started his professional football career in 1994 with AFC Bournemouth.

He made his first class debut in 1995 and after establishing himself as a vital defender for Bournemouth, he was selected for England’s Under-21 squad in the Toulon Tournament in 1998.

Howe signed for Portsmouth in 2002 and was the then manager Harry Redknapp’s first signing. The defender sustained a knee injury shortly after signing and was out for the rest of the season.

In 2004, Portsmouth loaned Howe back to Bournemouth and after a very successful return, supporters created an “Eddieshare” to fund a transfer fee to get Howe back to his home team. £21,000 was raised within days of the start up which funded the required transfer fee.

After 270 appearances for his teams, injury forced Howe’s retirement from the pitch in 2007.

Howe left Bournemouth as a player but remained as a coach. He lost his job in 2008 after the then manager Kevin Bond was sacked.

In January 2009, Howe came back to coach the youth team and was hired as the permanent manager of the club later that month. The former defender brought Bournemouth out of the relegation zone despite a 17-point deficit.

Howe led Bournemouth to League One in 2010 after two years in League two before he announced he was moving to Burnley in 2011.

The former player lasted only 18 months with Burnley before returning to the south coast and secured a promotion to the Championship after Bournemouth finished second in the league.

The 2015 season ended with Howe securing his side yet another promotion to the Premier League where they stayed for five years.

In 2020, Bournemouth were relegated to the Championship and the club announced Howe had left the club by mutual consent after eight years in charge.

What are Eddie Howe’s records and awards?

The 43-year-old manager has an overall win record of 41.83% with his most successful stint being his first years at Bournemouth where his win percentage was 50%.

Howe won the Football League Manager of the Decade Award (2005-2015) in the same year he won the League Manager Association Manager of the Year as well as the League Manager Association Championship Manager of the Year.

What are Eddie Howe’s managerial tactics?

Eddie Howe is known for playing a very attacking form of the game. His tactics are often based around possession with the aim of staying high in the pitch to create as many scoring chances as possible.

Rather than focusing on the role of the individual, the former Bournemouth player looks to create a strong team environment where all players look to play for each other and the team rather than just improving their own talent.

While Howe has trialled varying formations, he is known best for his 4-4-2 into a 4-4-1-1 formation. This style allows his players to move the ball from defence into attack through a patient build-up.

During games, full-backs will often push up to support the attack. Wingers will again push higher and wide often taking their opponents into one-on-one battles where the extra support of the high full-back comes useful as it heightens the attacking presence around the goal of the opposition.

Howe’s focus on possession and attack is reflected through his defensive strategies as well. His defenders are focused on winning the ball back as quickly and competently as possible.

Another of Howe’s most used tactics is high pressing. Whenever opponents have the ball, Howe’s players close down the players allowing Bournemouth to pounce as soon as the opposition has made an error as well as overloading the space to limit the opponent’s options.

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United

Newcastle United were not shy about their desire to have former Arsenal manager Unai Emery as their new boss but Emery has since said that he will not leave Villarreal for the Magpies and claimed they do not know what they want in their manager.

Eddie Howe quickly become a clear ‘second favourite’ with his experience and success at Bournemouth reflecting what Newcastle are looking for. Howe’s career reflects his ability to rebuild and bring up clubs from the bottom and the new owners of Newcastle have specified their wish to remould the northern side.

It was not the first time Howe had been linked with the Magpies as he had been in talks with the club before the takeover during the summer.

Newcastle are currently without a win in the 2021/22 season in the Premier League and sit in 19th place.

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