Jason Tindall and Eddie Howe are quite the dynamic duo at Newcastle United, but the former believes that the latter deserves much more praise.
Howe and his team have brought Champions League football back to St James’ Park, confirming a top four finish on Monday night with a 0-0 draw against Leicester City.
It is an incredible achievement from the Magpies, who were battling to avoid relegation last season. So much has been achieved in such a short space of time, and Howe deserves the bulk of the credit.
Outsiders will point to the investment and the new recruits, but it would all be for nothing if it was not for Howe and his ability. He has raised the standards of the club, and ensured that every player has improved their game.
So many key players this season were ones who Howe inherited – who were struggling to survive in the Premier League. Fast forward 18 months and they have now qualified for the Champions League.
It truly is astonishing, and Howe’s assistant thinks that the manager really should get a lot more credit for what he has done.
Jason Tindall believes Eddie Howe is really underrated
Tindall spoke to BBC Newcastle after the game against Leicester, and was asked to sum up how good Howe is.
“Incredible. I don’t think he gets the plaudits he deserves,” he said.
“I think he’s up there with the best managers currently. To achieve what we have achieved at Newcastle, and Eddie to have done what he has done is a fantastic achievement.
“You go all the way back from the time when the journey started, even at Bournemouth. Minus 17 points, bottom of League Two. The journey that was achieved at that football club.
“To then come to Newcastle, a team that was fighting at the bottom end of the Premier League and then 18 months later, we’re third in the Premier League and going to the Champions League next season.
“That is testament to him. He’s the leader of the group. He works extremely hard and it’s no less than what he deserves.”
Everyone should know how good the Newcastle boss is now
Howe obviously did a sensational job at Bournemouth, but his reputation was slightly tarnished by the way things ended on the South Coast. Then the longer he was out of work, the more his reputation diminished.
He was by no means the biggest name linked with the Newcastle job in late 2021, but he has proven to be the best man for it. The Toon owners could not have picked a better manager, with the club in incredibly safe hands during this exciting journey.
In his first full season in charge, he has reached a cup final and qualified for the Champions League. He has done it with players like Sean Longstaff being pivotal. He has done it with the goals of Miguel Almiron. He has done it with one of the best defences in the league, despite previously being panned for the amount of goals his teams have conceded.
Howe has answered the critics, who must now stand up and applaud the man who has taken Newcastle from relegation certainties to the biggest competition in European football.