Newcastle United will be signing ‘top talent’ amid unexpected Eddie Howe claim – pundit
Frank McAvennie claims Eddie Howe still has a lot to prove as Newcastle United manager.
The former West Ham hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insists the 44-year-old is unproven at the level the Magpies’ new owners want to reach.
On Thursday (19 May) The Daily Mail reported Newcastle are set to open contract talks with Howe.
The Toon boss signed a two-and-a-half-year deal when he took over from Steve Bruce in November.
McAvennie insists Howe still has a lot to prove as he is yet to prove he can handle the egos of “bigger players”.
“We have to see what happens when these bigger players come in,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“It maybe won’t happen this summer but maybe next summer if they have a good season next year.
“That’s the thing with Howe, he’s never been at this level before. He’s at this ambitious club and he knows he will be signing top talent.
“But he has only ever been at Bournemouth, so he has no idea what that is like. I don’t have anything against Howe and I’m not saying he can’t do it, it’s just he’s never had the chance.
“Hopefully he can adapt and take everything on board and become a better manager.
“I really rate him but it’s a step into the unknown for him now.”
Newcastle finished 11th in the 2021- 22 Premier League.
The club had five points and were winless when Howe took over.
In other news, pundit tips Newcastle United to sign key Matt Targett ally as fee agreed.