Eddie Howe faces an emotional reunion this weekend as he prepares to face Bournemouth for the first time since his exit. The Newcastle United head coach will have to put sentiment to one side as he aims to lead the Magpies to just their second Premier League victory of the season.
Howe brought his 25-year association with Bournemouth to an end in the summer of 2020 after suffering relegation to the Championship. The current Magpies boss was responsible for leading the Cherries from the brink of sliding into the National League to five seasons in the Premier League.
Howe oversaw more than 450 matches in charge of Bournemouth, having also made more than 300 appearances for the club during his playing days. The now 44-year-old described his decision to part ways by mutual consent as one of the 'hardest' calls he had ever had to make.
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Relegation did not tarnish Howe's reputation within the sport, judging by his appointment at St James' Park last November and subsequent success in the post. It did also not affect his standing with supporters of his former club according to Dorset Live's AFC Bournemouth correspondent Daniel Davis.
Reflecting on his legacy more than two years on, Davis told ChronicleLive: "The main feeling around Bournemouth ahead of the first reunion is one of excitement. There’s still a real mood of affection and gratitude towards him after his historic 11-year stint, and that will never fade away, no matter what happens this weekend.
"He is the club’s greatest ever manager, and always will be. He will receive a rapturous response ahead of kick-off, and certainly at full-time, too.
"Poignantly, the void left behind by Howe has left his successors struggling to fill it. Jason Tindall was a continuity candidate but his tenure went horribly wrong, while Scott Parker never managed to align himself with the values laid out by Howe as law. The demand for togetherness and belief is still the same, as is the want for attractive, front-foot football."
Howe spent more than a year out of work following his exit, and spoke of feeling 're-energised' following a energy-sapping stint on the south coast. The Magpies head coach used his time to study other managers, and took in trips to Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano to learn from Diego Simeone and Andoni Iraola respectively.
In a recent interview with Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, Howe admitted emotion now comes second to his 'critical eye' when it comes to his approach to management. Davis believes away fans will witness a new side to a familiar figure, but one whose success elsewhere will still be celebrated.
He added: "Howe does appear to have changed during his time away, however. He learned from multiple managers after leaving the Cherries, and after taking charge at Newcastle, has openly admitted he is probably not as nice as he once was.
"There is more of a steely determination about him, and his methods are paying off in dividends. This superb start on Tyneside has been greeted with happiness among Bournemouth supporters, who are pleased to see he is flourishing away from the south coast."
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