Although riding a wave of positivity following the PIF-led takeover, Howe still faced the difficult task of steering the Magpies clear of Premier League relegation.
In the end, with the help of five new arrivals Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett in January, United survived at a canter.
Indeed, the 44-year-old was rewarded with a new contract in the summer and Newcastle have picked up from where they left off last season - sitting sixth in the Premier League table after the opening nine games.
In total Howe has managed 36 league games as United head coach, winning 16 and drawing 10. He’s only lost twice at St James’ Park - and that was to Manchester City and Liverpool.
NewcastleWorld takes a look at where Newcastle would sit in the Premier League table if it started when Howe arrived on November 8, 2021:
1. Southampton (17th) - 33 points
P36 W8 D9 L19 GF41 GA72 GD-31
2. Everton (16th) - 34 points
P36 W9 D7 L20 GF35 GA59 GD-24
3. Leeds United (15th) - 36 points
P35 W9 D9 L17 GF42 GA73 GD-31
4. Wolverhampton Wanderers (14th) - 41 points
P36 W11 D8 L17 GF30 GA43 GD-13