Eddie Howe has vowed to 'produce the best Newcastle United' he can rather than copying anything he did at Bournemouth because the head coach's work has to be 'unique' to the Magpies.
Howe was conscious of the need to evolve after leaving Bournemouth following the Cherries' relegation to the Championship in 2019. As well as spending time observing at a host of sporting organisations, including Atletico Madrid, Saracens and the England national football team, Howe used his 15-month break to reflect on what went wrong in those final months at the Vitality Stadium.
Howe felt he had become a 'better' manager after that experience and, although there is work to do yet, the Newcastle boss has overseen a remarkable turnaround since taking charge of a struggling side without a win last November. Newcastle have since moved seven points clear of the relegation zone after going eight games unbeaten in the Premier League.
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Newcastle are having more shots and pressing higher up the pitch under Howe but, perhaps, what has been most striking is how much more effective the Magpies have become off the ball. It is rare for a Howe side to have just 32% of possession, particularly at home, but Newcastle still managed to find a way to dig out a 2-1 win against Brighton at St James' Park on Saturday.
At the same time, however, rarely have a Howe side been this solid defensively and Newcastle have conceded just five goals in the Premier League since Christmas. Although Howe wants to have more of the ball going forward, clearly, this represents a departure from his days at Bournemouth.
"Newcastle cannot be Bournemouth," he told reporters away from the cameras. "They are two unbelievable football clubs, but they are very different so I have to produce the best Newcastle I can.
"I certainly won't be looking to copy anything. I think everyone thought when I came in here that I would play 4-4-2 because that was what I did at Bournemouth.
"I haven't because that would not suit this group of players in my opinion. My work has to be unique to Newcastle."
There have been some things Howe has introduced from his time at Bournemouth, though, in an effort to try and get an extra percentage from his players. Whether it is a trainer of the month award; the use of inspirational quotes around the training ground; or an individual player speaking about his journey on a Friday to help bring the group closer together, Howe has not been shy in using some staples that worked on the South Coast.
Players and staff have also gathered for a team photograph in the dressing room after every win since the Newcastle boss was appointed - which was also a ritual at Bournemouth. What has been most eye-catching about these snapshots is how everyone looks so genuinely happy, whether it is the support staff, the unused subs or the goalscorers.
Among those smiling in Saturday's photograph was Bruno Guimaraes, who has yet to make his full debut for the club after completing his big-money move from Lyon last January. Bruno came on for the final 16 minutes of the win against Brighton, when Newcastle desperately needed some control in the middle of the park, and helped the Magpies to see the game out.
Howe has been keen to ease Bruno in, particularly when fellow midfielders Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock and Joelinton have been so effective. However, this cameo was another timely reminder of what the Brazil international will bring to the club in the years to come after he calmly took hold of the ball in tight areas.
“That's him and that's been him in every little cameo he has given," he added. "He has shown what he will bring.
"A couple of lovely passes to Maxi [Allan Saint-Maximin]. They seem to have built a relationship on the pitch already.
"My heart was in my mouth when he did that little pirouette on the touchline, but that is Bruno. He is an out and out footballer.
"He also won the ball back for us at a couple of key moments from a defensive perspective so he can certainly do a bit of everything. He's not a luxury player."
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