Eddie Howe is officially the new Newcastle United manager, and his former player Tommy Elphick has told of the difference in style between him and Steve Bruce.
The former Bournemouth boss was finally confirmed by the club on Monday, and took his first training session yesterday.
It has been a frustrating past few weeks for supporters given the struggles of the team on the pitch.
Many have had itchy feet over the appointment of a new manager, and the Unai Emery situation was cause for further angst for some.
But the new owners have been thorough in their search. They have a firm belief that Howe can get the club going in the right direction.
Fans have already been left impressed by a clip of Howe and his energy in training.
One gets the feeling things are going to be very different compared to the Bruce days. The Chronicle has spoken to former defender Elphick about the difference between the two.
Elphick has played under both, and is well placed to make a comparison.
He said: “Steve Bruce is a man-manager, a motivator, and let’s you go and express yourself.
“Sometimes, he leaves it in your own hands to go and make something happen whereas Eddie is very detailed in his process and expects certain things in certain positions.
“His understanding of every single position on the pitch is unbelievable. And the knock-on effect it has from one position to another when someone’s out of position or in the right position.
“Newcastle will be a team that’s very well-coached with a very clear structure and way of playing.”
Elphick made 135 appearances under Howe for the Cherries.
And he made 24 under Bruce playing for Aston Villa.
Howe and Bruce seems like polar opposites
Elphick’s comments about Howe are pretty exciting.
He spent a long time playing under the 43-year-old and knows exactly the way he operates and what he is all about.
Howe is very clearly a passionate, hands-on worker and obviously highly intelligent.
His style could be exactly what is needed to light a fire beneath a crop of players who have been underperforming for far too long. Not that they had the best guidance.
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