'Done really well': Erik ten Hag says he likes what he's seen from Newcastle man lately

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been praised by Manchester United counterpart Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils boss says the Magpies head coach has “done really well” at St James’ Park.

Ten Hag also stressed that “Newcastle are coming” to upset the apple cart towards the top of the Premier League.

Not long after the long-awaited takeover last year, the new owners replaced Steve Bruce with Howe.

The 45-year-old helped pull Newcastle clear of relegation, and this season the Magpies have really kicked on.

Newcastle sit third in the table after 15 games, with fans able to dream of success for the first time in years.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are quite a long way away from their recent glory days.

Ten Hag is the latest man tasked with turning the Red Devils into title and European challengers once again.

The Manchester United boss has spoken to The Athletic about the rising standards in the Premier League.

He then went into more detail about Newcastle’s progress and potential threat to the ‘established’ clubs.

“I look at the competition around the Premier League,” said Ten Hag.

“They all have the opportunity to invest. It’s a tough competition between seven or eight clubs.

“That’s a change in circumstances when you compare with five or 10 years ago – the competition is much tougher. 

“Newcastle are coming, even West Ham, maybe not now in the table, but they have huge investment.

“Spurs definitely, and then City, Chelsea and Liverpool, I don’t need to talk about them.”

Ten Hag then added: “They (Newcastle) have done well.

‘They did the right investments and that is what you have to value.

“Make the right environment and culture and he (Eddie Howe) has done really well.”

Howe and new owners have Newcastle fans dreaming again

Newcastle endured far too long merely treading water in the Premier League, but now those days are over.

Indeed, the Magpies seem very much ahead of schedule.

Relegation was a real possibility this time last season, but Newcastle ended up staying up comfortably.

And now, instead of slowly progressing and maybe sitting around mid-table, the Magpies are third.

Obviously there’s a long way to go this season, so we’ll see what happens in terms of European qualification.

But the fact Newcastle fans can genuinely dream and hope of success is amazing in itself – they can enjoy the ride.