While the 44-year-old immediately made an impact on the training ground, on the pitch, it wasn’t exactly the new manager bounce supporters were hoping for.
Fans stuck behind Howe and his players – and it feels United have turned a big corner following three consecutive wins against Leeds United, Everton and Aston Villa.
Those nine points have lifted the Magpies out of the Premier League relegation zone to open up a four-point advantage over 18th placed Norwich City.
But say the season started when Howe arrived at St James’ Park, where would Newcastle lie in the top-flight table? NewcastleWorld takes a look: