Eddie Howe admits that Steven Gerrard's sacking after just 40 matches at Aston Villa was a sobering experience.
The Toon boss was on a high after leading Newcastle to a six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, but says that watching Gerrard's pain unfold live on Amazon Prime saddened him.
Villa fans turned on Gerrard as they were trounced 3-0 at Fulham on Thursday night. And he bows out with the second city club sitting fourth bottom of the table.
Howe said: "I am very disappointed for Steve, he’s a very good manager. It goes to show the short-term nature. A very difficult job, very volatile at times, I have no doubt over his quality and I’m sure he’ll be back soon.
"I was thinking of him last night. It could be any of us at any stage. I always feel for managers who lose their job."
Howe says he will use the sacking as motivation in his own job at Newcastle.
Howe added: "You are aware of the volatile nature of the job and you go in very much eyes open. It keeps you very level headed and very grounded in good moments and bad moments.
"It can change so quickly and that's one of the things that makes the job so exciting and so rewarding. I think you always have it at the back of your head. It motivates me to do the best job I can every single day to stay managing this brilliant club."
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