Newcastle United's new owners must avoid making their first major mistake of the new era by hiring Eddie Howe.

What's the story?

The 43-year-old has been out of a job since the summer of 2020 when he left former club Bournemouth via mutual consent, with reports over the course of the last few months suggesting he was in the frame for the job at Celtic.

That however collapsed at the final minute, with Ange Postecoglou instead taking over the reins at Parkhead.

And now, following PIF's takeover of the Magpies, The Athletic's George Caulkin has revealed that members of the board have discussed Howe's name amongst themselves.

Worse than Bruce

While Bruce hasn't exactly got Newcastle playing free-flowing football or climbing up the table since he took charge, he at least hasn't taken the Magpies down - something Howe cannot say.

In fact, when you compare the two's managerial stats since they were both in the Premier League, Bruce actually averages more points per game with 1.17, while Howe's sits at a slightly lower 1.11.

What perhaps makes it even worse in terms of Howe, is that while the Cherries may have been seen as a 'new' addition to the top-flight, they were generally big spenders in the transfer market.

From the 2015/2016 season that Bournemouth made it into the Premier League, they spent close to £50m in their first year, £37m in the second, another £30m in the third, a whopping £80m in the fourth, and then £50m in Howe's final campaign in charge - all of those sums completely blowing Newcastle out of the water.

Howe isn't the kind of eye-catching managerial appointment that would set pulses racing at St James' Park or really lift the mood. PIF have the perfect opportunity to ride the crest of a wave by hiring someone with either a bit of gravitas, or someone with real potential and shine to their name.

A few years ago, Howe may have been an inspired appointment when he had Bournemouth flying. But the end of his tenure, and the fact his lavish spending at the club eventually saw them get relegated, surely isn't good enough to see him become the man to lead Newcastle's new era.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are keen on making this landmark appointment...