Newcastle manager Howe backed to beat Pep, Klopp to award after doing ‘amazing job’
Louis Saha has backed Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to be named Premier League manager of the season ahead of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
The former Bournemouth manager replaced Steve Bruce earlier this season with the Magpies winless across all competitions.
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Howe won a game at the fourth time of asking, beating Burnley 1-0 on matchday 15 in the Premier League.
The Geordies have drastically improved under the 44-year-old’s stewardship and are set to become the first team to avoid top-flight relegation after failing to win any of their opening 14 encounters.
They spent over £90m in the winter transfer window thanks to their new Saudi-led ownership, bringing in Dan Burn, Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett and Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle are now ninth in the Premier League and are one of the most in-form teams since the turn of the year.
The club’s former striker Saha believes the Magpies’ turnaround should see Howe named Premier League manager of the season.
“I think so, yeah,” Saha said when asked if Howe deserves the award (via The Shields Gazette). “When you have competition like Guardiola, Klopp and (Thomas) Tuchel, it’s hard, but it shows he’s done an amazing job.
“When he arrived, they were favourites for relegation, and he’s built a dynamic team, played some very exciting football and defended well.
“The players he brought in had an impact and credit to him, and to the club who had the guts to make that decision at the right moment. It’s very important to recognise the immense impact Eddie has had.”
The England midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and has struggled for game time at Old Trafford in recent seasons.
“I think it would be a great move for both parties,” McCoist said. “Jesse, please get out of there and start playing football, it’s what we want to see, it’s what you want to do, it’s what you need to do.
“We saw your talent when you went down to West Ham, that’s what you’ve got to do – get back playing for yourself. A move to Newcastle, a team that are on the up and are going places, I really do think it makes sense.”
