Premier League: Bournemouth’s Miracle-Worker Eddie Howe is Ready for a Step Up

AFC Bournemouth have seen themselves transform completely as a club under Eddie Howe.

Eddie Howe is an AFC Bournemouth legend. Of course, he is their current manager, but many don’t know that he actually played for Bournemouth for 10 of his 13 seasons as a footballer, playing in League One, England’s 3rd division, for all 10 of those years.

He didn’t have an illustrious career as a footballer, but he imprinted himself onto the Bournemouth faithful by spending so much time there. Howe’s career ended prematurely due to a knee injury, and he subsequently started his coaching career, which would allow him to reinvent his career in the long-term.

After working with the youth and reserve teams at the club, Howe was hired as permanent first-team manager in early 2009, less than 2 years after he retired as a Bournemouth player. Howe walked into a bit of a mess, as Bournemouth were in danger of being kicked out of League Two due to ownership and financial issues.

The club was eventually allowed to stay, but was slapped with a massive 17-point deficit. They miraculously survived relegation due to Howe’s contribution’s in that half-season, and in his first full season managing the Cherries in the 4th division the year after, he secured promotion back to League One, the division in which he spent nearly his entire playing career.

However, after just half-a-season in League One, Howe accepted an offer to manage Burnley in the Championship. Howe never truly adjusted to Burnley, and after less than 2 years there, he left the club and went straight back to Bournemouth to take over the touchline once more. It was this decision that changed Howe’s career for the better. From then on out, Howe continued to build a platform built on efficiency and stability, as the club continued to grow and grown, eventually reaching the Premier League in 2015, just 3 years after Howe took over the club in League One.

Howe has turned Bournemouth into a Premier League mainstay, and his performances will certainly attract the interest of bigger clubs in the future.

Ever since their promotion to the Premier League, Bournemouth have exceeded all expectations, finishing 16th, 9th, and 12th, securing some famous wins along the way. This season, the Cherries seem to have hit a completely new level, with an electric front four of King, Wilson, Fraser, and Brooks, who are all extremely underrated at what they do.

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A midfield made up of Lerma, Cook, and Surman isn’t too bad either. Howe has created a winning culture at Bournemouth, so much so that they seem to bounce back with a victory every time they pick up a loss. It’s quite unbelievable that they’ve added such consistency to their side in a tough and very-even league. Even against top 6 opposition, Bournemouth have been able to hold their heads high, losing by just a single goal against both Arsenal and Manchester United.

Eddie Howe has always been an excellent manager, but now people are truly starting to notice that he is more than that – he is a miracle worker. His ability to find success out of nothing is an extremely rare trait in an ever-changing world of football. He has continued to climb the ladder towards success for a decade, and continues to defy odds and shock even his most firm believers.

It was surprising not to see Howe’s name being linked a bit more heavily to Arsenal, Everton, and West Ham earlier in the year when they had managerial vacancies, but from here on out, you can expect Howe’s name to be in the mix when any English club at a higher level than Bournemouth is looking for a manager. He’s practical, enthusiastic, and intelligent.

Personally, I see Tottenham Hotspur as an ideal destination for Howe in the future, after Mauricio Pochettino moves on. Their ‘build from the ground’ structure would suit Howe perfectly, as would their patience and support towards their managers.