Newcastle boss Eddie Howe should be Manager of the Season contender – Dan Burn

Newcastle defender Dan Burn has insisted Eddie Howe should be in the reckoning for Manager of the Season for what he has achieved since his arrival at St James’ Park.

The 44-year-old was appointed by the club’s new owners in November last year with the Magpies five points adrift of Premier League safety and without a single win to their name.

On Wednesday evening they reached the 40-point mark to drag themselves 15 clear of the drop zone after a sixth successive top-flight victory on Tyneside – something they last achieved in 2004 under Sir Bobby Robson

And it is that feat which Burn believes bears comparison with those of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

He said: “Yes, I agree with those who say he is a real contender when you see what he has done.

“When you come in and turn it around the way he has, just the mentality, the way we train, the sense of real togetherness he has brought, photos after winning games, just little things like that… It has brought the fans and the players closer together. We are all pulling in the same direction.

“You have the likes of Klopp and Guardiola, but I think what he has done is equally impressive. Obviously, it is a different job he has done, but a huge achievement from the state the club was in.

“To get to 40 points with five games to go is monumental.”

Howe, of course, had the benefit of a £90milion January spending spree to help him reshape a misfiring squad – Burn’s capture from Brighton accounted for £13m of that – but the way in which he has blended his new arrivals with men he inherited and has since elevated has been hugely impressive.

Everyone is buzzing to see what the future will bring. That is why we had to stay up- Newcastle defender Dan Burn

Newcastle won none of their