Eddie Howe was just one of two names that Steve Bruce put forward to PIF at Newcastle United.
When the PIF takeover was finally completed in 2021, there was one main priority for Newcastle United – stay in the Premier League.
The Magpies found themselves in the relegation zone after a terrible start to the season but the introduction of new owners generated a buzz and excitement around St James’ Park.
Amanda Staveley decided to keep hold of Steve Bruce for Newcastle’s first game after the takeover, but soon after the decision was made to pursue a new manager.
Eddie Howe was hired at the start of November 2021, meaning Howe has now spent three years as Newcastle boss. He steered the Magpies to safety and has since gone on to secure Champions League football and reach two cup finals.
Steve Bruce recommended Steven Gerrard to Newcastle chiefs
When new owners arrived on Tyneside, Bruce was the first person to acknowledge that he would have to leave.
Speaking to the Business of Sport podcast in 2023, Bruce said: “The euphoria of Newcastle, the support, the crowd, everything about it, it was as if the doom and gloom had shifted and everything was euphoric. I had to say to them, ‘You might have to take me out of the equation.’
“It was the hardest thing I ever had to say, but I realised it was the best for the club because everything was euphoric around it. The only negative was me.”
A new start was needed under a new manager, and Bruce suggested two managers who could replace him. One was Eddie Howe.
The other was Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who at the time was in charge of Rangers and was viewed as an exciting young manager.
How Steven Gerrard’s career has gone since Newcastle links
“They even asked me who I would recommend. I did recommend Eddie and, I hope he doesn’t mind, I recommended Steven Gerrard too,” Bruce said.
“Someone like Eddie or Steven, who was young and would take it on. It was difficult. Really difficult. I’ve never done that before – sort of given up – but I realised it was best for the club.”
Thankfully PIF opted to hire Howe and Newcastle have not looked back since. While he is taking Newcastle to Wembley, Gerrard’s managerial career has struggled to get going.
Just three days after Howe was appointed at Newcastle, Gerrard was appointed as Aston Villa manager.
However, mixed results in his first season saw Villa finish 14th in the Premier League. Gerrard lasted just 12 matches of the 2022/23 season before he was sacked. He left Villa with a 32.5% win rate.
After a nine-month break, Gerrard returned to management with a highly controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
READ MORE: Newcastle United set to make major change ahead of Carabao Cup final after Eddie Howe demand
There, he signed players such as Jordan Henderson and former Newcastle star Georginio Wijnaldum. However, Gerrard struggled once again and he left by mutual consent last month.
Gerrard’s win rate in Saudi Arabia was just 39%. He now finds himself out of a job and searching for a new chapter. One thing that’s for certain is that it won’t be at Newcastle.
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