Eddie Howe confirmed - but what next for Newcastle United? The new owners’ priorities assessed

After a two week wait to replace Steve Bruce as Newcastle United manager, the club today announced Eddie Howe’s appointment.

Howe, best known for his exploits at Bournemouth, signs a two-and-a-half-year deal at St James’ Park, which sees his contract run to the summer of 2024.

Having got a head coach through the door, what next for the club’s new owners? We take a look at the club’s ‘to do’ list...

Media duties & coaches

One of the next steps for Howe and Newcastle United will see the new appointment put up before the media, this is likely to happen at the end of the week.

And as mentioned in the United statement, decisions on the club’s coaching setup will be announced, also likely this week.

Two of the three coaches remaining from the Bruce time are unlikely to be kept on, with Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence, who were very active on the video analysis side of things at Brighton, understood to close to an exit.

That leaves a gap, one which will be filled by some of Howe’s trusted lieutenants. Announcements on that front will also likely be made in the coming hours and days.

Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone are certain to be added to the coaching ranks, while Richard Hughes is another under consideration on the recruitment side of things.

Revealed! The recruitment team addition Eddie Howe is desperate to get signed off at Newcastle United

Director of football or sporting director

Michael Emenalo is the latest name to be linked with what could prove the crucial appointment of all for Newcastle’s new owners.

Direction from the top is needed as importantly as direction on the field, and the former Chelsea man’s pedigree is up there with the best in the game.

Improve the footballing executive

Newcastle United is a shell of a football club. The new owners knew that when they bought it, but they really know the true extent now after a few weeks with the reins.

The layers peeled away from the club by Mike Ashley in 15 years has meant a lot of micro-management has been needed by the buyers - and that’s something they’ll be keen to change moving forward.

A recruitment drive is not only needed in the first-team, but also for the likes of a chief executive.

What did the Newcastle United statement say? The statement, in full...

Newcastle United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Eddie Howe as the club’s new head coach on a contract until summer 2024.

The 43-year-old arrives on Tyneside having left AFC Bournemouth last summer, ending a long affiliation with the Cherries as a successful player and manager.

As well as amassing more than 300 senior appearances for the south coast side as a player, he also has the distinction of managing AFC Bournemouth through all four tiers of English football, culminating in five years in the Premier League between 2015 and 2020.

Eddie said: “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.

“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.

“I would like to thank the club’s owners for this opportunity and thank the club’s supporters for the incredible welcome they have already given me. I am very excited to begin our journey together.”

Newcastle United co-owner, Amanda Staveley, said: “We have been incredibly impressed by Eddie through what has been a rigorous recruitment process.​

“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.

“He is a great fit for what we are trying to build here. We are delighted to welcome Eddie and his staff to St. James’ Park and very much look forward to working together towards our collective ambitions.”

Further announcements on Eddie’s first official press conference and first team coaching appointments will follow in due course.