Steve Bruce has completely changed his mind about Eddie Howe now

Add as preferred source on Google

Luckily, the Steve Bruce era at Newcastle United is fading into the distance now.

While there are still plenty of links to it in the form of players such as Fabian Schar, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton, the manner in which Eddie Howe has transformed their careers makes it easier to forget the bad times.

Indeed, Newcastle fans do not need reminding of how miserable the Bruce era was. If anything, it’s better to focus on the pleasing present and the more exciting future the club are dealing with.

Still, you could forgive supporters for taking a wry smile at times.

Bruce, of course, was the man who proved dismissive of Howe, labelling him as the man who relegated Bournemouth.

Steve Bruce changes his mind on Eddie Howe

Now, however, Bruce has seemingly changed his mind.

Having watched that very individual clean up his mess at St James’ Park and yield vast improvements out of the players who struggled under his watch, Bruce has been forced to eat proverbial humble pie.

Speaking to Manchester United’s official podcast, the 62-year-old said: “I knew all along it was going to be difficult and it certainly was.

“When I see where the club [Newcastle United] is now and the quality of players who are playing…

“Where they have done remarkably well, is that they have put people in place to run the club and bought well.

“It has gone from strength to strength in the last 12 months. I am pleased.

“I genuinely am pleased. Because the city [of Newcastle] needs that.

“As a club it probably needs that. But it was a difficult time [when I was manager].

“That is for sure.”

The rapid-fire rebuild is hard to truly appreciate

Pretty much since Howe walked through the door, it has been a case of constant improvement at Newcastle.

While it has been exhilarating to watch and, clearly, a lot of the individuals have written themselves into the hearts and minds of supporters, we perhaps won’t truly value it until Howe is gone.

Had Newcastle have been relegated, who knows what would have happened in the post-takeover landscape? Obviously, supporters have been free of any such worries for a while now but – such is the severity of that potential situation – it will be worth reflecting on in the years to come.

A sliding doors moment.