Ireland legend John Giles joined Will O'Callaghan to discuss Newcastle and Eddie Howe.
Edide Howe's Newcastle are not concerned with relegation.
Newcastle under Steve Bruce, before Howe took over, were very concerned with relegation. But instead Howe has guided the team into a position where they can enjoy their final game of the season against Burnley. Newcastle are 12th on 46 points. They're 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
While Newcastle were never likely to get relegated after their takeover earlier this season, Howe still had a lot of work to do. The additions of Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood helped, but it's not like they completely revamped their squad in January. Trippier, the biggest of those names, has missed much of the season through injury.
So John Giles believes that Howe deserves a lot of credit.
"He's done a big job there," Giles said.
"There's no doubt. Definitely. He's done a big job. I know they spent a few bob but they didn't spend millions and millions. They have it going for them now. Newcastle's support is absolutely brilliant, they'll be going for it. And they don't care who they play."
But Newcastle are still 12th. They're safe of relegation but far from where they want to be. The Saudi Arabian owners are hoping to raise their profile and change their perception through sport. As other owners have shown, the easiest way to do that is to build a world class team that wins trophies at the highest level.
Howe is a good Premier League manager. He will keep Newcastle safe, but can he build a team that will reach the Champions League and beyond?
Giles believes he's their best option right now and into the future.
"You can only judge him on what he's done. And when he took over Newcastle, they were in a very, very difficult situation. And to finish as he has done...you'd have to go with him. His record at Bournemouth was excellent. He wasn't spending any money down there and he kept them in a good position for a few seasons.
"To do what he's been doing at Newcastle in a short spell is excellent. There's no way that they'd be looking for anybody else at this stage. He's done what they wanted him to do in a big way.
"They're way, way up the table."
Newcastle hired Howe midseason but he also wasn't their first choice. He will likely need to have a strong start to next season to become the first choice into 2023 and 2024.
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