Don Hutchison has heaped praise on Eddie Howe for the stunning transformation of Newcastle United on his watch. When the former Bournemouth boss took charge, the Magpies were five points adrift from safety and winless in the Premier League.
Now, United are a staggering 11 points clear of the relegation zone, with 10 wins out of their last 15 games. Supporters have watched as players whose Newcastle careers looked over are now enjoying a Tyneside renaissance under Howe.
Gateshead-born Hutchison - a boyhood Newcastle fan who played for Sunderland - believes the job the 44-year-old has done is remarkable. He told Premier League productions: “I put on social media a couple of weeks ago (saying) the job that Eddie Howe has done is remarkable and I got hammered.
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“(People said) ‘Yeah, but he spent £100million ’ What do you expect? He has spent his way out of trouble!’ Try telling that to the Newcastle fans who are watching Joe Willock and (Jacob) Murphy and Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton and Ryan Fraser - who have all improved under Eddie Howe.
“Kieran Trippier has been injured for a month. (Bruno) Guimaraes didn't start for five or six games when they bought him. Alright, they spend a bit of money but the upturn in their performances and their character and how good they are all of a sudden… the feel-good factor is back.”
Hutchison also thinks the Magpies' £40million man Guimaraes could become an asset this summer to help entice players to St James’ Park. ChronicleLive understands there is interest in Lucas Paqueta - the 24-year-old’s best friend while at Lyon and current teammate with Brazil.
The former Black Cat added: “I guarantee you when he's (Howe) speaking to Bruno Guimaraes he'll be asking him about some of the Brazilian boys or the boys at Lyon and asking ‘what’s he like? Can you have a word?
“Guimaraes is going to say to potential players coming in. ‘You want to come and play here. The fans are amazing and, by the way, the manager is sensational because he's got us playing attacking football.’”
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