Eddie Howe has transformed Newcastle United, there can be little doubt about that.
While the PIF takeover at Newcastle United in October 2021 was always likely to change the narrative at St James’ Park, quite where the club would be without Howe is up for debate.
The investment from the Newcastle United owners has obviously helped but the Newcastle United manager’s work at the club goes far beyond merely making signings.
Indeed, Howe has yielded vast improvements out of players at the Newcastle training ground.
Whether he inherited them upon his appointment or signed them during his time in charge, it’s difficult to think of a player Howe hasn’t improved.
Speaking about his former boss, ex-Newcastle star Matt Ritchie named four of them.
Matt Ritchie names the four players Eddie Howe has transformed
Talking on Sky Sports during their coverage of Newcastle’s 4-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, Ritchie named a quartet of his former teammates.
The Portsmouth player believes Howe’s work with the likes of Jacob Murphy, Joelinton, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento deserves special mention.
Murphy is now one of the form wingers in the Premier League right now, while Joelinton has become a key cog in the Newcastle first-team as a central midfielder having been converted from a striker.
Hall and Livramento, meanwhile, have both established themselves in the first-team under Howe.
“Look at the players who have improved under his leadership,” he said.
“Jacob Murphy, Joelinton, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento. All good players with huge potential and he’s brought them on and given them the platform to go and produce that, along with all the other guys and the coaches.”
How Eddie Howe changed Matt Ritchie’s life even before Newcastle United move
Ritchie believes Howe changed his life, having signed him Swindon while in charge of Bournemouth back in 2013.
From there, he developed into a Premier League player before joining Newcastle in 2016 and proving crucial in their promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking.
Ritchie speaks highly of Howe and it’s difficult to find a player who doesn’t do something similar.
Clearly, Newcastle United have quite the manager on their hands. An inspired appointment and a man to have changed the complexion of the club.
What a manager.
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