Eddie Howe agrees deal in principle to take over as Newcastle manager

Eddie Howe is on the verge of being confirmed as Newcastle United’s new manager after agreeing a deal in principle with the club’s Saudi Arabian-led owners.

The former Bournemouth manager impressed immensely during an interview last weekend with Amanda Staveley, the director responsible for running Newcastle on a day-to-day basis, but the board opted to offer the job to the former Arsenal and current Villarreal manager, Unai Emery.

When Emery changed his mind on Tuesday night, Staveley and her fellow directors renewed contact with Howe and, although a few details need to be finalised, he is expected to be announced as Steve Bruce’s successor by early next week.

After having their fingers burned so publicly, and painfully, by Emery, Newcastle are not taking anything for granted with Howe until contracts are signed but the 43-year-old, who transported Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League and kept them in the top tier for five seasons, is understood to extremely keen on the post. Providing everything proceeds as planned he will join on a two-and-half-year deal.

Howe seems set to reassemble a big part of the backroom staff which served him well at Bournemouth, with Jason Tindall, his former assistant, one of at least three coaches expected to relocate to St James’ Park.

Even if Howe watches from the stands, Graeme Jones, Bruce’s former assistant and a former Bournemouth coach, is likely to remain in caretaker charge at Brighton on Saturday and has assurances he will retain a key role.

Howe unveiled during his initial Newcastle interview a blueprint to help a team without a win and second-bottom of the Premier League to avoid dropping into the Championship. A coach noted for his passing principles and attacking philosophy is thought to have supplied the board with a list of January transfer targets.

The impending appointment is said to have been welcomed by the team’s three former Bournemouth players, Callum Wilson, Matt Ritchie and Ryan Fraser, who all benefited from Howe’s coaching.

Howe left Bournemouth in August 2020 after their relegation and has been waiting for the right opportunity. He turned down an offer from Celtic this summer but apparently feels that the sort of long-term club-building project offered by Newcastle’s wealthy owners is too enticing to reject.