It's Not Fonseca Or Emery, It's Eddie Howe As Newcastle's New Skipper

JAKARTA - Eddie Howe has officially become the new captain of Newcastle United for the rest of the 2021/11 season. Previously, names such as Paulo Fonseca or Unai Emery were rumored to be replacing Steve Bruce who was sacked last month.

The former Bournemouth head coach has been tied to a two-and-a-half-year contract to stay at St. James' Park until the summer of 2024, Newcastle's official website announced Monday.

Howe has been out of work for more than a year after stepping down as Bournemouth head coach at the end of the 2019/20 season, having failed to hold on to the team's position in the Premier League and was relegated to the Championship.

Although in his last season he failed to save Bournemouth from the threat of relegation, Howe does have a track record of helping the club move up from the fourth tier or League Two to the Premier League.

"We have been very impressed with Eddie throughout this recruitment process," said Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley.

"In addition to his achievements with Bournemouth, where he has had a real transformational impact, he is a passionate and dynamic coach and has real ideas for this club."

Howe appeared in the stands at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, November 6, as Newcastle drew against hosts Brighton & Hove Albion.

He admitted that he couldn't wait to start his new challenge at a club like Newcastle which he said had a long track record in English football.

"It's a great opportunity but obviously there's a lot of work to be done and I'm looking forward to joining the lads on the training ground soon," Howe said.

Howe has about two weeks during the international break to smooth out his adaptation process before Newcastle host Brentford at St. James' Park on November 20th.

He has a pretty tough task considering Newcastle is the only team in the Premier League who has not tasted victory this season and is stranded in 19th place in the standings with five points.