13 Eye-Opening Facts About Eddie Howe's Football Legacy
- Think Football Ideas
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Full Name: Edward John Frank Howe
Date of Birth: 29 November 1977
Place of Birth: Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s): Centre-back
Current Club: Newcastle United (manager)
While Eddie Howe is known for his calm yet determined persona, tactical ingenuity, and ability to extract the best from his players, he hasn’t just emerged from nowhere.
The remarkable journey that the Englishman has undertaken is rooted in a blend of formative experiences, key mentors, and influences, including a passion for football that has been carefully nurtured from his early days on the pitch.
Howe’s rise, both as a player and a manager, is marked by perseverance, self-belief, and the rigours of navigating both triumph and adversity, forging a legacy that is still being written with every match, every season, and every step forward in his career.
Here Are 13 Eye-Opening Facts About Eddie Howe's Football Legacy
1. He began his footballing career with youth teams Rossgarth and Parley Sports
Like so many footballers before him, Howe’s journey started on the muddy pitches of grassroots football. He honed his skills at Rossgarth and Parley Sports, local teams that provided him with his first real taste of competitive football.
Even then, the Amersham-born lad's natural leadership and defensive intelligence stood out. Those early years, fueled by a love for football, would eventually shape the resilient, intelligent, and hard-working player and manager he would become.
2. He started his professional career at AFC Bournemouth
Howe's professional career kicked off at AFC Bournemouth in the mid-1990s, a club that would come to define him as both a player and a manager. Making his first-team debut in December 1995 against Hull City, the young defender quickly cemented his place in the squad.
His composure, reading of the game, and dedication quickly made him a fan favourite. Over the years, he developed into a defensive leader, a reliable presence at the heart of the Cherries’ backline, earning the trust of teammates and supporters alike.
3. He was the first signing made by Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth
In March 2002, Howe's performances earned him a move to Portsmouth, where he became the first signing of the club’s new manager, Harry Redknapp. At £400,000, it was a significant investment, and Redknapp saw Howe as a key piece of Pompey's defensive structure.
However, fate had other plans. On his debut against Preston North End, he suffered a devastating knee injury, the first in a cruel sequence that would rob him of his prime years. Despite his potential, Howe’s time at Portsmouth became a battle against injuries rather than a chance to showcase his true ability.
4. Bournemouth fans once raised £21,000 through "Eddieshare" to fund his permanent transfer
Few players inspire the kind of devotion that Eddie Howe did at Bournemouth. In 2004, after two injury-plagued years at Portsmouth, he returned to Bournemouth on loan and immediately rediscovered his form. The fans, recognising his importance, did something remarkable.
Struggling financially, the club couldn't afford a permanent transfer, so the supporters took matters into their own hands. Through a unique fundraising initiative called "Eddieshare," they raised £21,000 to ensure his return. It was a moment that highlighted the deep connection between Howe and the club—a bond that would only grow stronger in the years to come.
5. He saved Bournemouth from relegation from the Football League before guiding them to the Premier League
Howe's managerial career began in a crisis. When he took over Bournemouth in December 2008, the club was on the brink of dropping out of the Football League, hampered by a 17-point deficit. What followed was one of the greatest survival acts in English football.
Against all odds, he kept them up. That alone would have been a career-defining achievement, but for Howe, it was only the beginning. Over the next few years, he orchestrated an astonishing rise, taking Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League for the first time in their history.
Not only did he get into the English top flight, he kept them there for five seasons, proving that his brand of progressive, attacking football could thrive against the giants of English football.
6. He was heavily influenced by Sean O'Driscoll and basketball coach John Wooden
Howe’s managerial philosophy wasn’t shaped in isolation. He credits Sean O'Driscoll, his former Bournemouth boss, for instilling in him a belief in fluid, technical football.
But his influences stretch beyond football—Howe has often spoken about how John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, shaped his thinking on leadership, motivation, and the psychology of winning. His meticulous attention to detail, emphasis on team cohesion, and relentless pursuit of improvement all have echoes of Wooden’s teachings.
7. In 2015, he was named Manager of the Decade at the Football League Awards
By 2015, Howe’s work at Bournemouth had earned widespread recognition. His ability to build teams, develop players, and defy expectations saw him named Manager of the Decade at the Football League Awards.
The honour cemented his reputation as one of the brightest young managers in English football. It was a rare acknowledgment of sustained brilliance, recognizing not just one season of success, but a decade of transformation.
8. He introduced the tradition of post-victory group photos at Newcastle
Football is about moments, and Howe understands the importance of celebrating them. After victories, Newcastle’s players now gather for a team photo in the dressing room—a tradition Howe introduced to reinforce unity and togetherness.
These snapshots, shared with fans, have become a symbol of the new era at Newcastle: one defined by camaraderie, ambition, and a shared journey towards greatness.
9. He secured Newcastle’s first Champions League spot in 20 years, within 18 months of taking charge
When Howe arrived at Newcastle in late 2021, they were struggling, battling relegation and searching for identity. Within 18 months, he had turned them into a Champions League side.
The 2022-23 season saw Newcastle finish in the top four for the first time since 2002-03, securing their return to Europe’s elite competition. It was a stunning transformation, built on tactical intelligence, disciplined defending, and a fearless attacking approach.
10. His Joelinton master stroke has been top-notch
One of Howe’s most inspired decisions was the reinvention of Joelinton. Previously written off as an expensive flop, the Brazilian striker struggled to find his place.
But Howe saw something others didn’t. Recognising his physicality, energy, and work rate, he converted him into a midfielder, and the transformation was extraordinary. Joelinton went from misfit to midfield enforcer, proving pundits wrong and becoming a key figure in Newcastle’s resurgence.
11. He is known for intense training sessions that are constantly varied to keep players engaged
Howe’s attention to detail extends to the training ground. His sessions are intense, unpredictable, and meticulously planned to keep players engaged and motivated. From tactical drills to high-intensity small-sided games, his training methods are designed to push players physically and mentally, ensuring they are constantly improving and adapting.
12. He led Newcastle United to their first major trophy in 70 years
March 16, 2025, will forever be etched in Newcastle's history. Under Howe’s leadership, Newcastle ended their 70-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Carabao Cup, defeating Arne Slot’s formidable Liverpool 2-1 in the final. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secured the victory, marking the club’s return to silverware after decades of near misses.
13. He is the first English manager since Harry Redknapp to win a major English trophy
Howe’s triumph in the 2025 Carabao Cup made him the first English manager since Harry Redknapp (2008 FA Cup) to win a major English domestic trophy.
In an era dominated by foreign managers, his success was a testament to English coaching talent. He also became the first English manager to win the League Cup since Steve McClaren’s Middlesbrough in 2004—a moment of national pride and a milestone in his already remarkable career.
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