Clarets’ youngest manager has got what it takes, says chairman

And chairman Barry Kilby feels there are exciting times ahead at Turf Moor after landing the Bournemouth chief on a three-and-a-half year deal.

Kilby hopes the youngest manager in the club’s history - at 33, younger than Adrian Heath, who was 35 and two months when taking the helm in 1996 - will bring an exuberance and vibrancy to the post.

Howe is widely-regarded for his man-management skills and meticulous planning, and Kilby feels Burnley have got the right man to get the club back on track after a testing 12 months: “I am delighted to welcome Eddie to Turf Moor.

“Obviously it’s a brave new world and we have particularly gone for a new generation coming in and taking the reins.

“We have been very impressed with Eddie and his team and we have seen the great job he did at Bournemouth.

“As with any appointment there is an element of chance, but we feel it is a chance we are willing and eager to take to carry this club forward.

“We are going to give youth its head and hope that reflects itself throughout the club in new attitudes.

“We are looking for Eddie to build, put a stamp on this club and have a wind of change going through us.”

Howe brings his assistant at Bournemouth, Jason Tindall with him, while Stuart Gray is being retained on the coaching staff.

I also understand there could be a return to Turf Moor lined up for former Claret Chris Brass, who is currently assistant boss at Bury.

Joint Operational Director Brendan Flood added: “Eddie is much sought-after and highly regarded in the game, so I feel we have done particularly well to attract him.

“The fact Eddie has come up north shows a commitment to what he believes could be a great career move for him and his team.

“They have very innovative ideas and they will be working in different player recruitment circles, which will open new opportunities for us as a football club.

“He very much fits the ethos that we want in regenerating our youth policy and bringing better players in at the 16-20 category.

“We feel he understands that market well and will do a great job for us there. Hopefully we will get the best out f Eddie and he will add value to the club in the long term.

“In the short term it’s all about winning games, and he is a winner. He has shown that and we now give ourselves a really good chance of getting back into the play offs and achieving our aims for this season.”

Howe himself is looking forward to the challenge: “This is a fantastic club and you only had to see the fans at the game here on Saturday to see how passionate they are.

“It is just a fantastic opportunity for Jason and myself to join such a big, ambitious and progressive club, and we are delighted.

“We had such a great time at Bournemouth and it was always going to take a special club for us to leave, because of the fantastic success we’ve had there in the past two years.

“We just felt Burnley was that club and we are ready to take on a huge challenge.

“However, it’s one we are excited by. The team is in a decent league position, but there is still a long way to go and hopefully we can get off to a good a start and see where that takes us.”