Ross Wilson has been talking about Eddie Howe.
The Newcastle United Sporting Director has only been in the job a matter of weeks, however,, he couldn’t be more impressed by what he has seen of the United Head Coach.
Ross Wilson declaring; “I always thought I was a hard worker and then you see this guy and think, ‘Jesus…’ He has an unbelievable work ethic and is meticulous in his detail and planning. It means the world to him.”
Wilson has also revealed that his relationship with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis helped him to avoid a period of gardening leave, ahead of moving to Tyneside.
Time will tell of course but certainly from the outside, the relationship between Eddie Howe and Ross Wilson looks to have every chance of being a far more positive one than appeared to be the case of Howe with Paul Mitchell.
Ross Wilson speaking to The Athletic – 9 December 2025:
“I’ve only worked with Eddie for six weeks but I can already see that he is an elite manager at the top of his game, at a club he totally understands and can handle the pressure and expectations.
“I always thought I was a hard worker and then you see this guy and think, ‘Jesus…’ He has an unbelievable work ethic and is meticulous in his detail and planning. It means the world to him. He gives everything and on the grass he just loves it. He looks so at home placing demands on these players but the rapport he has with them is top.
“I am firmly of the belief that without high levels of emotional intelligence it is very difficult to truly succeed in any elite role now in football and he has that in abundance. He is an incredible people person.”
Ross Wilson on key Newcastle United recruitment team personnel, Steve Nickson and Andy Howe:
“No changes there, both guys will continue and I have been spending most of my time with them so far.
“Andy stepped into a difficult scenario and navigated it well. He is obviously Eddie’s nephew but Eddie Howe does not suffer fools and the standards he demands from people he works with is huge.
“He is really well regarded by clubs and agents across the game.”
Ross Wilson on Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis:
“Thankfully, I never had to give him a resignation letter.
“I had a relationship which meant I could just speak to him.
“He asked me to stay but understood and worked with me on it. I trusted him to find the right solution with Newcastle.
“Actually, I was very proud to be left in post rather than be put on gardening leave.”
Ross Wilson on Elliot Anderson who he helped take from Newcastle United to Nottingham Forest:
“Everyone knows what he can do now. If you were to say a year ago that Elliot would be one of the best in the Premier League, a starter for England and can go wherever he likes in his career, some would have said yes. The others? They wouldn’t have understood his level.
“Everyone at Newcastle and Forest knows the quality of the boy. He is an outstanding boy and a top human being.”