League, but the club's 5-year stay in the Premier League ended in 2019–20 after AFC Bournemouth finished in 18th place. On 1 August 2020, AFC Bournemouth announced that Howe had left the club by mutual consent, after eight years in charge. He became noted at Bournemouth for bringing in young players, improving them, and selling them on at a financial profit. In May 2021, Howe rejected an offer to become the manager of Celtic. A club statement blamed factors "outwith both his and our control" for the breakdown in their negotiations. Newcastle United Howe was appointed to replace Steve Bruce as the manager of Premier League club Newcastle United on 8 November 2021, signing a contract until the summer of 2024. Howe watched from the stands as the club drew 1–1 with Brighton & Hove Albion, in a game in which Graeme Jones was acting as caretaker manager. Jones was retained as first team assistant coach as part of Howe's new coaching staff, which also included Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, whom he worked with at AFC Bournemouth, as well as retained Newcastle goalkeeping coach Simon Smith. His appointment at Newcastle also reunited him with former players at AFC Bournemouth, such as Callum Wilson, Matt Ritchie and Ryan Fraser. On 19 November 2021, Newcastle announced that Howe had tested positive for COVID-19 and would miss the first game in charge. He watched his first game as manager from a hotel room as Newcastle drew 3–3 with Brentford on 20 November. On 20 April 2022, following a 1–0 victory against Crystal Palace, Howe guided Newcastle to a 6th successive home win, the first time the club had done such a feat since 2004 under Sir Bobby Robson. He guided Newcastle to an 11th place finish in the Premier League after winning 12 in the last 18 games of the season, and made sure Newcastle became the first team in Premier League history to avoid relegation after not winning any of the first 14 games they played. On 5 August 2022, Howe was rewarded with a long-term contract at the club. On 31 January 2023, Howe guided Newcastle to the EFL Cup final following a 3–1 aggregate victory over Southampton; their first cup final in over 23 years. Personal life Howe and his wife Vicki have three sons. On 5 March 2019 Howe was awarded the Freedom of the Borough