Eddie Howe has made Miguel Almiron into one of Newcastle United’s star players, symbolising a remarkable turnaround since Steve Bruce‘s tenure.
The 29-year-old was one of many players who appeared to regress during the previous manager’s reign.
Miggy was brought to the club by Rafa Benitez, and immediately impressed on the left of attack. He looked like a great signing for £21million, then injury ended his debut campaign prematurely.
By the time Almiron returned, Benitez was gone and had been replaced by Bruce. But there was still a buzz around the Paraguayan, who was still in the infancy of his Toon career.
However, Almiron appeared to go backwards under Bruce’s management. His position chopped and changed, with Bruce wildly opting to play the speedster on the right of attack, despite being as one-footed as they come. Bruce also used Almiron in the middle of the park, which didn’t work either.
Bruce’s decision to play Almiron out of position was massively hindering him, and he began to look like a waste of money.
There were moments for Almiron during Bruce’s time as manager like his first ever goal against Crystal Palace, but he was largely disappointing.
However, despite those struggles, Almiron has praised the man who Howe replaced at St James’ Park.
Miguel Almiron thinks Steve Bruce was a ‘great manager’
Newcastle’s number 24 has been speaking to the Chronicle, and commented on the previous managers he has worked with on Tyneside.
“I will always be grateful to all three of the Newcastle managers I have worked under,” he said.
“Initially it was Rafa Benitez who I was especially grateful as he saw something in me and gave me my chance to come to the Premier League. He saw something that I was doing in MLS with Atlanta to bring me here.
“Steve Bruce was a great manager also and you always learn something from each manager you play under. The three I have worked with at Newcastle are no exception for me.”
Howe has taken Almiron to a new level
It initially looked like Howe didn’t fancy Almiron. The former Atlanta United attacker couldn’t even get in the team.
But injury gave him an opportunity last season, and now he is a guaranteed starter under the new manager. Not only that, but he is also the club’s current top scorer with nine.
Howe has clearly worked very closely with Almiron. The right wing position looked foreign to him under Bruce, but now he is incredibly comfortable out there. The change in Almiron sums up the difference in coaching between Bruce and Howe.
But the winger has no bad words to say about Bruce and believes he was able to learn things from him before he left the club in October 2021.
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