Graeme Jones quietly impressing as part of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United backroom team

Graeme Jones has had a whirlwind 15 months since arriving at Newcastle United from Bournemouth. In January last year, the Magpies stumped up around £250,000 to poach the highly-rated coach from Championship side Bournemouth.

Ironically, Jones was working underneath Jason Tindall - the man he now shares a joint position at Newcastle with - at the Cherries, and alongside coaches Stephen Purches, Dan Hodges and Simon Weatherstone. It was the appraisal Eddie Howe received from his trusted coaching staff about Jones that convinced the Toon boss to keep him as part of his inner circle.

Speaking after his appointment, Howe said: "Coming with me are Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches, Simon Weatherstone and Dan Hodges. Graeme Jones is still in the mix and I'm delighted to work with Graeme.”

"Adding someone to my backroom team was something that I'd looked at and considered during my break and it's something that I positively wanted to do. So having Graeme already here in situ and is someone I know, respect and really like, I think it's going to be a perfect match for us."

The tactical impact Jones had on Newcastle last season led some fans to believe he held more authority than Steve Bruce. The Magpies adopted a ‘false nine’ formation immediately upon his arrival, with Miguel Almiron playing centrally and Callum Wilson shifted out wide. Jones’ first game in the dugout saw Newcastle claim a rare 2-0 victory at Goodison Park and his insight was there for all to see.

An enhanced reputation prompted England boss Gareth Southgate to appoint Jones on a short-term basis to bolster his Euro 2020 hopes. Training drills posted by the Three Lions media team showed the Gateshead native - Newcastle’s sole English representative at the