"Newcastle United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Eddie Howe as the club's new head coach on a contract until summer 2024," the club said.

Howe, 43, has been out of a job since he left Bournemouth in August 2020 after the south-coast club were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season.

He had previously taken the club from the bottom of the fourth tier, ten points adrift and near-bankrupt, into the top-tier Premier League, via two years at Burnley during which Bournemouth marked time.

Bournemouth, which had never previously reached the top flight, were relegated after five seasons.

"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," Howe said.

"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."

Graeme Jones was interim manager for the last three games after Bruce left following a takeover of the club by a consortium 80%-led by Saudi Arabia's PIF sovereign wealth fund.

Howe was in the stands for the 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. His first game in charge will follow the international break when Brentford visit St James' Park on November 20.

Newcastle are second-bottom of the standings with five points from 11 games, five points adrift of the safety zone, having failed to win a league game so far this season.

Australian Associated Press