Kieran Trippier has confirmed dressing room concerns were held about training and the 'level of fitness' under the former Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce. The Magpies' stand-in skipper was the first arrival of the new era on Tyneside, reuniting with Eddie Howe three months after Bruce's departure.
The former Newcastle head coach left in October 2021 by mutual consent after overseeing his 1,000th match in management, a 3-2 home defeat to Tottenham. United were winless at that stage of the season, and were listed among the relegation favourites.
Howe's appointment coupled with a January transfer spend close to £100 million helped lift Newcastle to a mid-table finish. The former Bournemouth boss has now guided the club to their first Wembley final in more than two decades and a current top-four spot in his first full season in charge at St James' Park.