The rise of Newcastle target Eddie Howe, who credits his mum as his biggest inspiration and once signed his brother
FORMER Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is being linked with Newcastle and Southampton.
The boss, 43, is rumoured to be on the shortlist to take over from Steve Bruce at St James' Park following their £300million takeover.
But it's believed Howe will hold out to return to the South Coast, with Southampton.
The tactician performed miracles with the Cherries, taking them from near-League Two oblivion to the Premier League in two spells with the club on a limited budget.
The modest manager credits his mum Anne for being his biggest inspiration as she supported him through his dream of making it in the professional game.
She even played in goal while her two sons fired shots at her and practiced in the park.
Anne passed away in March, 2012 following a short illness, which Eddie admitted made him take stock of his life and return to Dean Court after a short stint at Burnley.
The calm and assured gaffer is very loyal to his family, having once signed his now-retired half-brother Steve for Bournemouth in 2010.
He also had to conquer the bitter disappointment of his playing days being cut short by a serious knee injury when he was just 29-years-old.
However, that didn't stop the grounded Amersham-born coach from rising to the top, sometimes against all the odds, to be touted as a future England manager.
"When something like that happens, it makes you re-evaluate and realise what’s really important.
“It was incredibly difficult to deal with and still is. When you lose someone you love so suddenly, it is very hard to take.
"But when you can’t grieve properly because you are so far away and detached, it is even harder to deal with.
“That is why coming back to this area and to this football club was a real comfort to me.
"It certainly had a big impact in my personal life and made me a lot happier off the pitch. I was closer to people who had been affected and could also help them.
"There were two totally different sides to coming back – the football part and the family side. They are totally different and there were more reasons to me coming back than I could ever talk about publicly."
DEDICATES IT ALL TO MUM
Eddie realises that he is where he is today because of how he was brought up by his mum, who he's incredibly thankful for.
He told The Telegraph: “I do think the way I was brought up by my mum and the foundations she set me played a big part.
"Most people will say that your parents and your childhood experiences are so important.
“I certainly believe that to be the case for me. I was given some very good advice. I was brought up in a loving family and it has made me very focused on my work.
"Her passing away has fired me to try to achieve more in memory of her.
"She lived for her kids, really ... growing up in a house full of boys with football always around.
"Steve and I were football mad and certainly inspired each other to play.
"It’s usually the dads who are out in the park kicking ball around until late but it was really me with my brothers.
“It was very much us with our mum, walking the dog or watching or sometimes acting as a goalkeeper!
"She would support us in whatever we wanted to do and sometimes that was making the numbers up.
"She is a big inspiration in my life because I want to carry on the good start she gave me. I want to make sure I don’t put that to waste."
It's fair to say that Eddie has done far from that, which is why Newcastle, Southampton and Co could do far wrong but appoint this Mr Nice Guy.