Graeme Souness and Alan Pardew have both backed Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe to win the Premier League's manager of the season award.
Newcastle currently lie in third place in the table as the Magpies bid to return to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. There may still be four games to go but to put that turnaround into perspective, Newcastle finished 11th last season after Howe took over a side who were winless and second from bottom in November, 2021.
Although Newcastle have spent money, that is no guarantee of success as Chelsea's recent splurge has proved and it is worth pointing out that Howe has lifted a number of individuals he inherited to new heights, including Fabian Schar, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy. Indeed in last week's game against title-chasing Arsenal, half of the players who featured were already at the club when Howe was appointed and Souness has certainly taken note.
