Newcastle confirmed the appointment on Monday, with the 43-year-old penning a contract until mid-2024, with the Magpies currently second last and winless this Premier League season.
Howe’s immediate job will be to steady the ship at St James’ Park, with the obvious threat of relegation given their start to the campaign, after finishing 12th last season under Steve Bruce.
But expectations will be lofty for Newcastle, who were taken over by a Saudi Arabian consortium, the Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media, whose wealth is greater than any other club.
It is anticipated Newcastle will make a major transfer splash in January given their financial muscle, although they will be capped on their permitted spend under Financial Fair Play rules. It’s reported they will spend only 50 million pounds at this stage.
All this at a club which is one of England’s best supported, yet who have failed to win any trophies since their FA Cup victory in 1955. The Magpies were Premier League runners-up in 1995-96 and 1996-97, holding a 10-point lead which it surrendered in the former campaign.
Howe was clear about the challenges presented to him at Newcastle, given that mix of relegation threat, under-achievement and expectation.
“This is a wonderful opportunity, but there is also a lot of work ahead of us and I am eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players,” Howe said.
“I would like to thank the club’s owners for this opportunity and thank the club’s supporters for the incredible welcome they have already given me. I am very excited to begin our journey together.”
Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley labelled Howe, who took Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League, as a “great fit” for the club.
Howe has not managed since leaving Bournemouth by mutual consent in August 2020, declining an offer from Celtic in May.
Newcastle had previously failed to woo ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery, who announced his intention to stay with Villarreal last week.