‘Bit of luck’: Eddie Howe’s Newcastle dominance compared to Arteta, Pep and other Premier League managers
As the Premier League’s managerial merry-go-round continues spinning at dizzying speed, Eddie Howe’s tenure at Newcastle United stands as a testament to stability and transformative vision.
Come November, the 46-year-old tactician will celebrate four years at St James’ Park – a remarkable achievement in today’s volatile football landscape that places him among the division’s most enduring figures alongside Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
Howe inherited a crisis in November 2021, taking over a winless side languishing in the relegation zone under Steve Bruce’s doomed regime.
The early signs offered little hope as Newcastle failed to secure victory in his first three matches. Yet that tense 1-0 triumph over Burnley, sealed by Callum Wilson’s strike, ignited one of the most dramatic mid-season turnarounds in Premier League history.
Bolstered by astute January signings and Howe’s meticulous coaching, the Magpies soared up the table, transforming from relegation certainties to mid-table finishers within six months.
The Bournemouth architect’s first full season surpassed all expectations. Newcastle not only reached their first domestic cup final since 1999 but secured a fairytale Champions League qualification with a third-place finish – a staggering achievement considering the club’s recent history.
This season’s Carabao Cup triumph ended 70 years of trophy drought, while consecutive top-five finishes have reestablished Newcastle as consistent European contenders.
Howe’s longevity becomes even more impressive when contextualized against the Premier League’s relentless churn of managers.
Thomas Frank’s recent appointment at Tottenham means Howe has now outlasted four different Spurs managers during his tenure.
The current Premier League managerial landscape reveals just how rare such stability has become:
Premier League Managerial Longevity (Current)
- Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) – 8 years, 11 months
- Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) – 5 years, 5 months
- Marco Silva (Fulham) – 3 years, 11 months
- Eddie Howe (Newcastle) – 3 years, 11 months
- Unai Emery (Aston Villa) – 2 years, 7 months
What makes Howe’s achievement particularly noteworthy is the complete organizational transformation he’s overseen.
From implementing a modern pressing system to developing homegrown talents like Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson, his influence extends far beyond results.
The former Bournemouth manager has successfully balanced the club’s newfound financial power with sustainable squad building – no easy feat given the pressures of the Saudi-backed era.
As Newcastle prepare for another Champions League campaign, Howe’s continued presence offers something increasingly rare in modern football: a long-term project with visible progression.
In an era where managers are often judged on quarterly results rather than seasonal progress, his reign stands as a compelling case for patience and visionary leadership.
The coming years will determine whether he can join Guardiola and Arteta in that elite bracket of managers who redefine their clubs’ identities, but few would bet against a man who’s already shattered so many expectations on Tyneside.