Newcastle hire Howe to end search for new manager

Newcastle United finally found a successor to Steve Bruce.

The Magpies confirmed the hiring of Eddie Howe on Monday, ending their search for a new coach. Howe steps in after Newcastle's Saudi owners made the swift decision to dismiss Bruce last month.

The Englishman's contract runs through the summer of 2024.

"It is a great honour to become head coach of a club with the stature and history of Newcastle United. It is a very proud day for me and my family," the 43-year-old tactician said. "This is a wonderful opportunity, but there is also a lot of work ahead of us and I am eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players."

The former Bournemouth bench boss will be tasked with lifting Newcastle out of the relegation zone; they're yet to win a Premier League match this season and sit 19th in the table.

Newcastle publicly courted Villarreal boss Unai Emery shortly after Bruce's departure. But when the Spaniard turned down the club's approach, attention quickly shifted to Howe. He attended Newcastle's 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion this past weekend, sitting alongside co-owner Amanda Staveley amid ongoing contract negotiations.

"We have been incredibly impressed by Eddie through what has been a rigorous recruitment process," Staveley said.

"As well as his obvious achievements with AFC Bournemouth, where he had a transformational impact, he is a passionate and dynamic coach who has clear ideas about taking this team and club forward."

Howe will get the entirety of the international break to acclimate and work with his new squad before overseeing his first official match - a home encounter with Brentford - on Nov. 20.