Eddie Howe hints at Newcastle vision away from cameras as Bruno leaves him with 'heart in mouth'

Eddie Howe has vowed to 'produce the best Newcastle United' he can rather than copying anything he did at Bournemouth because the head coach's work has to be 'unique' to the Magpies.

Howe was conscious of the need to evolve after leaving Bournemouth following the Cherries' relegation to the Championship in 2019. As well as spending time observing at a host of sporting organisations, including Atletico Madrid, Saracens and the England national football team, Howe used his 15-month break to reflect on what went wrong in those final months at the Vitality Stadium.

Howe felt he had become a 'better' manager after that experience and, although there is work to do yet, the Newcastle boss has overseen a remarkable turnaround since taking charge of a struggling side without a win last November. Newcastle have since moved seven points clear of the relegation zone after going eight games unbeaten in the Premier League.

Newcastle are having more shots and pressing higher up the pitch under Howe but, perhaps, what has been most striking is how much more effective the Magpies have become off the ball. It is rare for a Howe side to have just 32% of possession, particularly at home, but Newcastle still managed to find a way to dig out a 2-1 win against Brighton at St James' Park on Saturday.

At the same time, however, rarely have a Howe side been this solid defensively and Newcastle have conceded just five goals in the Premier League since Christmas. Although Howe wants to have more of the ball going forward, clearly, this represents a departure from his days at Bournemouth.

"Newcastle cannot be Bournemouth," he told reporters away from the cameras. "They are two unbelievable football clubs, but they are very different so I have to