It was an emotional return for the former Cherries' boss who spent a combined amount of 20 years at the club if you include his playing days. As he was applauded by both sets of supporters at the final whistle following the 1-1 draw between Bournemouth and his Newcastle side.
When talking to the press he said, “It was emotional, I’m not going to hide that fact, with how long I’d been at this football club without the chance to say goodbye to people who had given me so much in my life and not just for me but my family as well, that was difficult.”
Responding to another question on the matter he said, “To have that reception from two sets of supporters means the world to me and I’m very grateful for it.”
When asked about how he felt going into the game he replied with, “I was very much focused on the game, trying to win the game, putting out a good performance, it only really struck me at the final whistle”
Regarding the match, Howe believes that his side “weren’t at their best” and that “the final product was missing”.
New addition Antony Gordon made his second appearance for the Magpies and with the injury to Joe Willock, Nerve Sport asked Howe how close are we to seeing Gordon in the starting 11?
The reply was “he is definitely getting closer to performing well, I think that is all he can focus on every time he enters the pitch, he needs to make sure he does his job, catches our eye and continues to impress, I think he has made a very good start”.
Howe and his Newcastle side have a huge fortnight ahead of him as they face Liverpool in their bid for champions league football and then at Wembley in the league cup final as they try to end 54 years of hurt against Manchester United in their first final since 1999.