Howe arrived at Newcastle having done a remarkable job at Bournemouth where, across two spells punctuated by a year at Burnley, he saved them from relegation out of the Football League and then took them all the way to the Premier League.
The Cherries job had been his first as a manager, having been a coach at the club following his retirement from playing at the age of 29 because of a knee injury.
There were two people who hugely influenced the type of manager he wanted to be and would ultimately become – his former Bournemouth boss Sean O’Driscoll and legendary basketball coach John Wooden.
O’Driscoll and Howe crossed paths when the former was still a player at Bournemouth and the latter was 14 and in the club’s youth setup.
At that time, they were living in the same village and O’Driscoll would drive the young Howe to training.
O’Driscoll would eventually manage Howe, who became impressed with the former Republic of Ireland international’s management style.
“I certainly believe Sean had a huge part in my management style,” Howe said.
“I was very lucky, as a young professional, to have such a forward-thinking coach as Sean.”
O’Driscoll’s football philosophy was based on creativity and possession, while his man-management style was not to shout and criticise players, things that can now be attributed to Howe.
Meanwhile, in his office at Bournemouth, quotes such as “make each day your masterpiece” adorned the walls.
They were from Wooden, considered one of basketball’s finest teachers and the other person to have had a significant impact on Howe’s thinking after he came across one of his books early into his management career.
Howe was inspired by Wooden’s views on getting the best out of players, not treating them all equally but instead as individuals, with their own issues and concerns.
From this, Howe became determined to ensure he would get to know every player individually as a player and as a person and work on improving any weaknesses they had.
Howe immediately set about imprinting his methods at Newcastle. His working day would begin at 6am and he would often not finish until late into the evening.
Players’ days off were reduced while training sessions were brought forward to an earlier time and became more intense.
“Jonjo Shelvey said that when Howe first came in he would be so tired by the training that he would be in bed by 8pm,” BBC Radio Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck said.
“The players were shattered but he made them fitter, he made them better individually and he made the team better.”
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn said that while training was much more intense, he found it enjoyable.
“What I find crazy about the gaffer’s training is that we never seem to do the same session twice,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He has so many sessions saved and every single day is something completely new. I really enjoy training and it’s something I look forward to every day.”
According to Burn, Howe quickly instilled an “us against the world” mentality and that, combined with the rapidly improving fitness, resulted in Newcastle’s form improving.
Newcastle finished 11th in the Premier League, 14 points clear of the relegation zone after being cut adrift when Howe came in.
Utilising the methods of man management he learned from O’Driscoll and Wooden, Howe got to know each and every one of his players – their personalities and what makes them tick.
“First and foremost he wants to know how you are as a person rather than as just a footballer, that’s what sets him above other managers I’ve worked under,” Burn told Newcastle’s official website.
Midfielder Sean Longstaff said: “I am a dad now and you can speak to him about advice and stuff.
“He pulled me in once and gave me a book that he gave to his children. It is more the part that people don’t see, it is why I love him so much.”
Joelinton is one of the greatest examples of Howe’s ability to get the best out of a player.
The Brazilian joined the club in 2019, signing for £40m from Hoffenheim. He arrived as a striker but his struggles to score led to him, for a while, being considered an expensive flop.
Howe had a different view and moved the then striker into midfield. He flourished in the position, earning praise for his combative performance and tough tackling, and has not looked back since.
“He improved me as a player, not just me but other players that were here before him,” Joelinton said.
“He changed my position but in general his mentality, his passion, his desire to work every day and work hard to improve.
“He is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, not just as a coach but in general as a man.
“The way he treats every player, he talks not just about football but about life, he is always here for us. He is like a father figure.”
