EDDIE Howe has been appointed head coach at Newcastle United, his first job since leaving Cherries last year.

He replaces Steve Bruce, who was sacked last month.

Cherries legend Howe departed Vitality Stadium in August 2020 after a magical eight-year second stint at the club.

During that time, he took the club into the Premier League, where they stayed for five seasons before relegation back to the Championship.

But the 43-year-old is now back in management, taking over at St James' Park on a contract until 2024.

He told Newcastle's official website: "It is a great honour to become head coach of a club with the stature and history of Newcastle United. It is a very proud day for me and my family.

"This is a wonderful opportunity, but there is also a lot of work ahead of us and I am eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players.

"I would like to thank the club's owners for this opportunity and thank the club's supporters for the incredible welcome they have already given me. I am very excited to begin our journey together."

Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley added: "We have been incredibly impressed by Eddie through what has been a rigorous recruitment process.

"As well as his obvious achievements with AFC Bournemouth, where he had a transformational impact, he is a passionate and dynamic coach who has clear ideas about taking this team and club forward.

"He is a great fit for what we are trying to build here. We are delighted to welcome Eddie and his staff to St. James' Park and very much look forward to working together towards our collective ambitions."

There is as of yet no official announcement regarding Howe's backroom team. Reports suggest it will include his long-term assistant Jason Tindall, former Cherries coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, as well as current Cherries' head of sports science Dan Hodges.

Newcastle currently sit second from bottom of the Premier League, five points from safety and without a win so far in their 11 matches.

Howe's first game in charge is set to be against Brentford at St James's Park after the international break, on Saturday, November 20.