Former Arsenal boss Arene Wenger has hailed the “exceptional job” Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle, discussing our progress over the past two years and the challenges he’ll face as we attempt to reach the next level as a club.
Speaking to beIN Sports, the 74-year-old hits the nail on the head when discussing the “next step” for Newcastle and what it will take for Howe to achieve that:
“The next step for Newcastle United will to be consistent in the top four, and after, to challenge for the Premier League. To do that will need certainly some more top players, with the same mentality.
“The challenge for Eddie Howe will be to keep that mentality he has brought to the culture of performance, that he has instilled in the team, and to add more quality without losing that.”
Wenger hits the nail on the head here. The quality of the team must improve if we wish to be a consistent part of the top four and eventually compete for the title, but any top player arriving must have the right mentality, ensuring we don’t lose the culture, team spirit and togetherness we’ve done so well to create over the past two years. Watch what Wenger had to say in full below:
"In the last two years, he has done an exceptional job!" ????
Arsène Wenger hails the work of Eddie Howe and how the English coach has patiently turned Newcastle into a top four contender! #beINPL #NEWARS pic.twitter.com/GYuEZpeecy
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) November 2, 2023
“I would say, first of all, Eddie Howe did a good job at Bournemouth and then he went through a very difficult period, where he has certainly learnt a lot from, and he took the challenge to go to Newcastle.
“I thought at the time that it was an interesting challenge for a young manager. Why? Because you want to go to a club where you have the potential, that hasn’t achieved anything for a long time, but has that huge potential.
“At the start it was difficult [at Newcastle United], but the fact that he had the experience at Bournemouth helped him a lot.
“He did very well [in helping to turn Newcastle around after arriving in November 2021], slowly he has filled the team with balance, desire, passion for the game, and has been consistent with his results. And overall, I must say that in the last two years, he has done an exceptional job.
“Even you know, they have just beaten Paris Saint Germain 4-1 in the Champions League, having not played in the Champions League for a very very long time. They are now, you consider them to be, on the fringe of the top four.
“The next step for Newcastle United will to be consistent in the top four, and after, to challenge for the Premier League. To do that will need certainly some more top players, with the same mentality.
“The challenge for Eddie Howe will be to keep that mentality he has brought to the culture of performance, that he has instilled in the team, and to add more quality without losing that.”
