COMMENT: Football is not the only reason for Howe

Howe with wife Vicki and son Harry Howe with wife Vicki and son Harry

ON the face of it, leaving Burnley for Bournemouth would seem a bizarre career choice for Eddie Howe.

After making the step up 21 months ago, from League One to the Championship, to go back now – with 18 months left to run on his contract and the job only half done – seems unthinkable.

But this, I feel, is not entirely a football decision.

Although football is largely his life, so too is his family – one that has experienced huge changes since he swapped the south coast for the north west in January 2011.

In August that year he became a father for the first time with the birth of his son, Harry.

This year dealt him the worst time in his life, however, with the sudden death of his mother, Annie, in March.

After taking minimal time out in the circumstances, Howe ploughed himself back into work, determined to continue to be successful in memory of his biggest supporter.

Mother and son were extremely close, and such a devastating loss has, naturally, lingered. Perhaps home had never felt so far away.

It would be naive to think that football didn’t come into his reckoning at all though.

Before leaving Bournemouth Howe had offers from Charlton, Peterborough, Southampton and Crystal Palace to take charge.

He turned them all down and instead went on to pick Burnley as his next step.

He felt it was the right club, the best club, for his development as a manager. There was a plan. Burnley set out their ambitions. They matched those of Howe and his assistant, Jason Tindall.

Although they were moving north for the first time in their careers, they felt it was right.

But soon after arriving at Turf Moor the goalposts moved. Budgets changed the next summer, consequently so did transfer targets.

Key players were sold just before and after the start of the season and only a portion of that money was recycled in the squad.

It was a similar story this summer, with the sale of star man Jay Rodriguez.

Howe still wanted to deliver results with stylish passing football this season.

It has been delivered in patches, but the goals conceded have made it an almost impossible task, with frustration flooding down from the terraces to the touchline.

He has met one hurdle after another.

Although his answer to the question about links to Bournemouth was ambiguous when it first broke, he meant it when he said he was proud to manage the club. He put his heart and soul into the job.

Right now, however, it seems his heart belongs at home.

I have no doubt that when Howe leaves Turf Moor for the last time, he will do so with great sadness.

Howe is a thinker, an analyser, probably one factor in this dragging on for as long as it has.

His mind is now made up.

Burnley must now think carefully about their next move.

Comments(41)

carrman2 says...
11:35am Fri 12 Oct 12

Another sad day for BFC ,If Howe goes it seems its a family decision spurred on by the bfc board not fully behind Eddie Howe,,

RUinsane says...
11:48am Fri 12 Oct 12

Sinking ship, man the lifeboats, Austin is next.

midas says...
11:50am Fri 12 Oct 12

RUinsane wrote:
Sinking ship, man the lifeboats, Austin is next.
Of course Austin is next, but unlike Rhodes he will have ambitions for the Premiership.

RUinsane says...
11:57am Fri 12 Oct 12

midas wrote:
RUinsane wrote:
Sinking ship, man the lifeboats, Austin is next.
Of course Austin is next, but unlike Rhodes he will have ambitions for the Premiership.
Ooh them grapes taste a bit tangy don't they?

bobinspain says...
12:13pm Fri 12 Oct 12

E.H. was 'sold a pup'and now he wants to give it back.

He has every justification for being disappointed with broken promises and 'shifted goalposts.'

Everthing else is window dressing.

I'm worried about what calibre of replacement we'll be able to attract. The future looks pretty bleak from here.

exiled claret says...
12:37pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Not sorryto se hom go. on't think hewill stay. Please do't prove me wrong

xiled claret

McClaret says...
12:41pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Going on how we are promoting (HaHa) ourselves via our recent track record at board level I can only see us attracting a manager from lower divisions or someone desperate to take a job rather than caring which job it is.

Wantageclaret says...
1:20pm Fri 12 Oct 12

I'm hoping Eddie has steadied the ship financially and if the next manager is a little stronger we could really build from here.

Blatently obvious that Charlie will leave before long, we must enjoy him whilst he is with us and then hopefully watch him rise and rise.

UTC

J.C - Rishton says...
1:25pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Don't give us this excuse "He's moving down south to be with his wife and child" - what a load of pap - if he were manager of Man Utd or City do you think he'd be resigning today to move back to Bournemouth - of course he wouldnt.

He's moving back because he knows he's going no-where under the current unambitous board - they have lied to him and renaiged on their promises.

It is a sad inditement of BFC (a club in the PL only just over 2 years ago)when a manager would rather move down a division to a mid table team with only 5000 fans, rather than stay and try to get BFC towards the play offs.

He obviously thinks BFC have no chance of mixing it in the top half of the Championship otherwise he would probably stay and try to get up via the play-offs - suceed with that and he could move to many clubs down south.

Its about time Burnley fans stoped giving their board an easy time - 2 years ago you were a PL team, you have had parachute payments for the last 2 years but look at yourselves already - thought of by all and sundry as one of the smallest clubs in the Championship - it just isnt good enough and you shouldnt accept it (and yes I'm a Rovers fan but I actually think Burnley, as a club is being sold down the river by unfit leaders who have made millions in parachute payments disapear without virtually a whisper of complaint from most Burnley fans).

stefjam says...
1:41pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Coyne to Blackburn, Kean to Burnley, Howe to Bolton, lets keep it in the Lancashire family!

jack01 says...
1:49pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Telegraph can try and dress it up as best they can for Burnley supporters. The fact is Howe is ditching a club that was in the Premier League 3 years ago to join AFC Bournemouth, bottom of the third division. This to me suggests that things must be in a pretty desperate condition at Turf Moor for a young ambitious manager to prefer managing in a League One relegation scrap. When was the last time a manager dropped down a division by his own choice? Grayson from Blackpool to Leeds? At least there was some logic behind that. Remarkable how managers from Spain/France/Italy don't suffer the same 'family issues' as Howe. Rubbish excuse.

kenbro says...
2:00pm Fri 12 Oct 12

If you had a choice to live near Bournemouth with your wife and child, or in East Lancashire, with all it's social, environmental and racial problems, which would you choose ?

bburnrover says...
2:09pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Well given the choice of location its a no brainer to move to lovely Bournemouth just wish the Venkeys would move next door to him.

makaveli96 says...
2:30pm Fri 12 Oct 12

The word is he's leaving before you get hammered by the MIGHTY rovers in 51 days!

How many years?

swearengen says...
2:31pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Wow J.C,.a Rovers fan commenting on a Burnley story and talking sense. You have posted exactly how I feel. After 60 plus years watching Burnley I have finally had enough, I feel we have been completely sold out and fear totally for our future.

Dublin Claret says...
2:34pm Fri 12 Oct 12

While our club remains locally owned, we're always going to be skint compared to the clubs that have sold their souls. Maybe I'm old school, but I'd still prefer to watch my club where it is, playing in claret and blue, then for example, top of the league cardiff pllaying in red! Having said that, I'm disappointed in Eddie's decision, he knew the conditions and I feel he's taken the easy option. Now we move on and if any of the board read this, please, no coyle, mc carthy, keane phil brown etc. One man should be approached, not everyones choice, but a winner.... Billy Davis. Go for it lads!

Major Tom says...
2:36pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Who can blame him. I love the mighty clarets more than anybody but the board have pick pocketed the coffers since we were relegated. It's time to get serious and bring Redknapp in.

midas says...
2:39pm Fri 12 Oct 12

J.C - Rishton wrote:
Don't give us this excuse "He's moving down south to be with his wife and child" - what a load of pap - if he were manager of Man Utd or City do you think he'd be resigning today to move back to Bournemouth - of course he wouldnt. He's moving back because he knows he's going no-where under the current unambitous board - they have lied to him and renaiged on their promises. It is a sad inditement of BFC (a club in the PL only just over 2 years ago)when a manager would rather move down a division to a mid table team with only 5000 fans, rather than stay and try to get BFC towards the play offs. He obviously thinks BFC have no chance of mixing it in the top half of the Championship otherwise he would probably stay and try to get up via the play-offs - suceed with that and he could move to many clubs down south. Its about time Burnley fans stoped giving their board an easy time - 2 years ago you were a PL team, you have had parachute payments for the last 2 years but look at yourselves already - thought of by all and sundry as one of the smallest clubs in the Championship - it just isnt good enough and you shouldnt accept it (and yes I'm a Rovers fan but I actually think Burnley, as a club is being sold down the river by unfit leaders who have made millions in parachute payments disapear without virtually a whisper of complaint from most Burnley fans).
Mystic Meg!! I never realised you had a direct line to the Burnley Boardroom, unless you are just making it up!!

midas says...
2:42pm Fri 12 Oct 12

RUinsane wrote:
midas wrote:
RUinsane wrote: Sinking ship, man the lifeboats, Austin is next.
Of course Austin is next, but unlike Rhodes he will have ambitions for the Premiership.
Ooh them grapes taste a bit tangy don't they?
Yes really sour!! Rhodes - 3 goals in 7 games or Austin 15 goals in 12 games :-)
.
I doubt Rhodes will get to 15 goals by the end of the season!
.
URinsane
RTarD

Piston_Broke says...
2:43pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Major Tom wrote:
Who can blame him. I love the mighty clarets more than anybody but the board have pick pocketed the coffers since we were relegated. It's time to get serious and bring Redknapp in.
You might get Jamie, but you'll never get Harry! He will never take a job north of the M4.

buzzinfly says...
2:48pm Fri 12 Oct 12

The Derby's building up to be a good one.

Both teams now no manager, both crap defences, and both got a proven goalscorer.

First to sort out thier defence the winner?

Going to be interesting.

Good luck Eddie. No place like home.

midas says...
2:48pm Fri 12 Oct 12

I've supported Burnley under 21 different managers, perhaps soon 22, it really doesn't make any difference. I doubt I will be dressing as a chicken and walking down HP Way in protest as I am a supporter!
.
Some of the laughable comments from the Rovers fans. I wish I could keep them so that when they learn to accept their place in the Championship they can re-read them. Lets see how well they cope with parachute payments and gates of 16,000. Kean sacked thousands back - jokers to a man!

midas says...
2:51pm Fri 12 Oct 12

buzzinfly wrote:
The Derby's building up to be a good one. Both teams now no manager, both crap defences, and both got a proven goalscorer. First to sort out thier defence the winner? Going to be interesting. Good luck Eddie. No place like home.
By proven goalscorer I presume you don't mean proven Championship goalscorer! although Kazam might come good.

jack01 says...
3:09pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Looks like Midas has lost the plot today. It must be galling watching your manager bolt for the exit door to join the mighty AFC Bournemouth. Notice how other relegated sides eg Blackburn, Blackpool, West Ham, Bolton actually reinvest the money from the Premier League to give it a good go of getting promoted. The penny pinchers at Turf Moor are content to sell everything. No wonder your managers keep walking out! Enjoy Austin whilst you can because a transfer is on the horizon in January. You might get lucky and sign another product of the Thatcham Town youth academy!

buzzinfly says...
3:21pm Fri 12 Oct 12

midas wrote:
buzzinfly wrote:
The Derby's building up to be a good one. Both teams now no manager, both crap defences, and both got a proven goalscorer. First to sort out thier defence the winner? Going to be interesting. Good luck Eddie. No place like home.
By proven goalscorer I presume you don't mean proven Championship goalscorer! although Kazam might come good.
Don't worry, Rhodes going to be ok. Definately will score goals. Just need to change system on how we play. Black has tried to stop us conceeding goals but as a flip side has starved strikers of chances.
Rhodes been isolated. Kazam's powerful but a bit greedy. Leon Best also to return at some stage. Drop Murphy and get someone who can at least run and that might help as well

I think if I was a BFC fan I would be worried that if Austin is sold, how much of the transfer fee would be given back to the manager to replace him. Or you could get bought out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmm!

Like I said its going to be intresting.

midas says...
3:30pm Fri 12 Oct 12

jack01 wrote:
Looks like Midas has lost the plot today. It must be galling watching your manager bolt for the exit door to join the mighty AFC Bournemouth. Notice how other relegated sides eg Blackburn, Blackpool, West Ham, Bolton actually reinvest the money from the Premier League to give it a good go of getting promoted. The penny pinchers at Turf Moor are content to sell everything. No wonder your managers keep walking out! Enjoy Austin whilst you can because a transfer is on the horizon in January. You might get lucky and sign another product of the Thatcham Town youth academy!
This would be Bolton and West Ham with over £110 million debts each!! What have Blackpool re-invested in and as for Blackburn well not even the "supporters" know whats going on!
.
Don't try to sully the Burnley supporters by presuming we will react like the rabble that follow Rovers! Manager goes manager comes we still support the club.
You are all still in denial about Rovers place, you are the club that just keeps giving.

buzzinfly says...
3:40pm Fri 12 Oct 12

midas wrote:
jack01 wrote:
Looks like Midas has lost the plot today. It must be galling watching your manager bolt for the exit door to join the mighty AFC Bournemouth. Notice how other relegated sides eg Blackburn, Blackpool, West Ham, Bolton actually reinvest the money from the Premier League to give it a good go of getting promoted. The penny pinchers at Turf Moor are content to sell everything. No wonder your managers keep walking out! Enjoy Austin whilst you can because a transfer is on the horizon in January. You might get lucky and sign another product of the Thatcham Town youth academy!
This would be Bolton and West Ham with over £110 million debts each!! What have Blackpool re-invested in and as for Blackburn well not even the "supporters" know whats going on!
.
Don't try to sully the Burnley supporters by presuming we will react like the rabble that follow Rovers! Manager goes manager comes we still support the club.
You are all still in denial about Rovers place, you are the club that just keeps giving.
You have lost the plot though. Your all over the place.

Harwoodstblue says...
3:44pm Fri 12 Oct 12

midas wrote:
J.C - Rishton wrote:
Don't give us this excuse "He's moving down south to be with his wife and child" - what a load of pap - if he were manager of Man Utd or City do you think he'd be resigning today to move back to Bournemouth - of course he wouldnt. He's moving back because he knows he's going no-where under the current unambitous board - they have lied to him and renaiged on their promises. It is a sad inditement of BFC (a club in the PL only just over 2 years ago)when a manager would rather move down a division to a mid table team with only 5000 fans, rather than stay and try to get BFC towards the play offs. He obviously thinks BFC have no chance of mixing it in the top half of the Championship otherwise he would probably stay and try to get up via the play-offs - suceed with that and he could move to many clubs down south. Its about time Burnley fans stoped giving their board an easy time - 2 years ago you were a PL team, you have had parachute payments for the last 2 years but look at yourselves already - thought of by all and sundry as one of the smallest clubs in the Championship - it just isnt good enough and you shouldnt accept it (and yes I'm a Rovers fan but I actually think Burnley, as a club is being sold down the river by unfit leaders who have made millions in parachute payments disapear without virtually a whisper of complaint from most Burnley fans).
Mystic Meg!! I never realised you had a direct line to the Burnley Boardroom, unless you are just making it up!!
Nope, not making it up. Read Swearegen above, a proper claret who sees it as it REALLY is. A club in decline.

Harwoodstblue says...
3:46pm Fri 12 Oct 12

midas wrote:
RUinsane wrote:
midas wrote:
RUinsane wrote: Sinking ship, man the lifeboats, Austin is next.
Of course Austin is next, but unlike Rhodes he will have ambitions for the Premiership.
Ooh them grapes taste a bit tangy don't they?
Yes really sour!! Rhodes - 3 goals in 7 games or Austin 15 goals in 12 games :-)
.
I doubt Rhodes will get to 15 goals by the end of the season!
.
URinsane
RTarD
Ha Ha but he's going isn't he, or haven't you heard yet......A club in decline.

woz1974 says...
4:12pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Kean Kean Kean in !!!!! just a shame the late John Bond is no longer with us as his number 2 !!

roya1710 says...
4:22pm Fri 12 Oct 12

RUinsane wrote:
midas wrote:
RUinsane wrote:
Sinking ship, man the lifeboats, Austin is next.
Of course Austin is next, but unlike Rhodes he will have ambitions for the Premiership.
Ooh them grapes taste a bit tangy don't they?
Seems that good managers are giving the Rovers a wide berth, maybe it's because of the senseless supporters, or the Chicken Shack where the board are hatched.

fylde exile says...
4:43pm Fri 12 Oct 12

All the best Eddie it wasn't working for you here,maybe you wern't dealt the hand you expected,and maybe more experience needed on your part.By the way do Bournemouth need a keeper?

Chico! says...
6:11pm Fri 12 Oct 12

I love it.

Same as when Coyle dumped you for a bigger/better club.

All the bitter Bonleh trogladytes change their tune so fast it's hilarious!

One minute it's all "Howe the lads", now you're all giving it "well I never thought he was good enough anyway "

Ha ha ha. Utter jokers the lot of you!

Is Brian Laws available? He's got experience of a relegation dogfight!

jack01 says...
6:20pm Fri 12 Oct 12

For all Burnley's 'financial prudence' it really hasn't done them much good has it?

Your best manager in 30 years ditched you for Bolton. Your next manager was employed on the basis of an accountants report and his successor has now resigned to join AFC Bournemouth. Not looking too good is it?

jellybiff says...
10:17pm Fri 12 Oct 12

jeez i'm glad i got rid of my season ticket.I wouldn't pay this board one more penny .Total joke manager appointed and a total joke board .I'll use my money for more useful things .

MikeMada says...
5:15am Sat 13 Oct 12

J.C - Rishton wrote:
Don't give us this excuse "He's moving down south to be with his wife and child" - what a load of pap - if he were manager of Man Utd or City do you think he'd be resigning today to move back to Bournemouth - of course he wouldnt.

He's moving back because he knows he's going no-where under the current unambitous board - they have lied to him and renaiged on their promises.

It is a sad inditement of BFC (a club in the PL only just over 2 years ago)when a manager would rather move down a division to a mid table team with only 5000 fans, rather than stay and try to get BFC towards the play offs.

He obviously thinks BFC have no chance of mixing it in the top half of the Championship otherwise he would probably stay and try to get up via the play-offs - suceed with that and he could move to many clubs down south.

Its about time Burnley fans stoped giving their board an easy time - 2 years ago you were a PL team, you have had parachute payments for the last 2 years but look at yourselves already - thought of by all and sundry as one of the smallest clubs in the Championship - it just isnt good enough and you shouldnt accept it (and yes I'm a Rovers fan but I actually think Burnley, as a club is being sold down the river by unfit leaders who have made millions in parachute payments disapear without virtually a whisper of complaint from most Burnley fans).
Amazing. Total speculation and almost everything in this likely to be incorrect! Take up fiction, you have a future!

MikeMada says...
5:18am Sat 13 Oct 12

Wantageclaret wrote:
I'm hoping Eddie has steadied the ship financially and if the next manager is a little stronger we could really build from here.

Blatently obvious that Charlie will leave before long, we must enjoy him whilst he is with us and then hopefully watch him rise and rise.

UTC
Succinct and accurate. Great comment. Progress is survival with integrity these days in football. Few clubs, whether they be local or national can say they have both of these. Good to see that Hoos is setting the scene with Coyle. We can, and will do much better that him.

MikeMada says...
5:21am Sat 13 Oct 12

jack01 wrote:
Telegraph can try and dress it up as best they can for Burnley supporters. The fact is Howe is ditching a club that was in the Premier League 3 years ago to join AFC Bournemouth, bottom of the third division. This to me suggests that things must be in a pretty desperate condition at Turf Moor for a young ambitious manager to prefer managing in a League One relegation scrap. When was the last time a manager dropped down a division by his own choice? Grayson from Blackpool to Leeds? At least there was some logic behind that. Remarkable how managers from Spain/France/Italy don't suffer the same 'family issues' as Howe. Rubbish excuse.
In this day and age, a remarkably honest reason, from a remarkably honest man. It takes courage to step back from a challenge for personal reasons. It's a well worn excuse in such situations and in this rare case and having observed eddie carefully during his tenure, I'm preety comfortable with it Good luck Eddie.

MikeMada says...
5:23am Sat 13 Oct 12

Chico! wrote:
I love it.

Same as when Coyle dumped you for a bigger/better club.

All the bitter Bonleh trogladytes change their tune so fast it's hilarious!

One minute it's all "Howe the lads", now you're all giving it "well I never thought he was good enough anyway "

Ha ha ha. Utter jokers the lot of you!

Is Brian Laws available? He's got experience of a relegation dogfight!
It's troglodytes. Stick to monosyllabic words, then you might have a chance of getting them right.

MikeMada says...
5:28am Sat 13 Oct 12

jack01 wrote:
For all Burnley's 'financial prudence' it really hasn't done them much good has it?

Your best manager in 30 years ditched you for Bolton. Your next manager was employed on the basis of an accountants report and his successor has now resigned to join AFC Bournemouth. Not looking too good is it?
We don't have any real debt and we don't have any chicken pluckers.

Enough said!

In fact the future for a real football club (and one, might I say, that doesn't need a drummer to try to create any atmosphere) is positive and bright now we've put the lid on the mad idea that one-trick pony no-integrity Coyle might make a reappearance.

Great job Eddie, we appreciate what you did and now we can take the next steps with new energy and direction.

Rovers1975 says...
2:41pm Sat 13 Oct 12

midas wrote:
jack01 wrote:
Looks like Midas has lost the plot today. It must be galling watching your manager bolt for the exit door to join the mighty AFC Bournemouth. Notice how other relegated sides eg Blackburn, Blackpool, West Ham, Bolton actually reinvest the money from the Premier League to give it a good go of getting promoted. The penny pinchers at Turf Moor are content to sell everything. No wonder your managers keep walking out! Enjoy Austin whilst you can because a transfer is on the horizon in January. You might get lucky and sign another product of the Thatcham Town youth academy!
This would be Bolton and West Ham with over £110 million debts each!! What have Blackpool re-invested in and as for Blackburn well not even the "supporters" know whats going on!
.
Don't try to sully the Burnley supporters by presuming we will react like the rabble that follow Rovers! Manager goes manager comes we still support the club.
You are all still in denial about Rovers place, you are the club that just keeps giving.
Hang on a minute, manager goes manager comes we still support the club? Is that a joke comment? Does every single dingle suffer from selective memory? Based on the tosh you'vre written, if Steve Kean was installed as Burnley manager you'd be quite happy? Coyle dumped you like a piece of 5hit and you all went ballistic because you think you're bigger than Bolton. Your not. Howe as dumped you to drop down a league to re manage Bournemouth!! Does that not ring some alarm bells? Howes not even a decent manager and he sh1t all over you. If you had owners like the filth that currently own Rovers you'd all be happy would you? All 10,000 of you would turn up week in week out? The only supporters in denial are those of Burnley FC think they're a big club. They're not.

Love and kisses as always x x x

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