BRIAN Stock has revealed how new Newcastle boss Eddie Howe inspired him on the field at Cherries before completing an impressive transition into a manager.
Current Weymouth boss Stock rose through the Cherries’ ranks as a youngster and became Howe’s teammate in the early 2000s.
Stock would later play under Howe at Burnley before the new Toon gaffer returned to Cherries, famously bolting up the divisions into the Premier League.
Speaking to the Dorset Echo, Stock recalled how his friend, the “meticulous” Howe, had to put friendships to one side.
He said: “With Eddie, I had early memories of him being an inspiration on the pitch.
“He wasn’t the tallest of centre-backs but he could jump taller than anyone else and he was a really good player.
“His career was cut short through injury but the biggest thing that impressed me most with Eddie was the way he transformed from player to manager.
“He did it in his own way, a very meticulous guy. He had to cut friendships in order to gain respect as a manager.
“Although it turned one or two noses up at the time, he certainly got the respect from the players almost overnight.”
He added: “It’s tough when you inherit a group of players that are your friends and teammates. You have to create that divide almost instantly and he did that really well.
“People might have looked at it as a ‘where’s Ed gone?’ type thing, ‘where’s my mate gone?’
“He really did gain that respect. The players took to that and wanted to play for him.”
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