Edward John Frank "Eddie" Howe (born 29 November 1977) is an English former footballer and manager. A defender before retirement who spent much of his career at Bournemouth after joining the club at the age of 13, he was the youngest manager in the Football League when appointed Bournemouth manager in January 2009. Howe rescued Bournemouth from relegation out of the Football League in his first season in charge, after the club started the season on -17 points, then led them to promotion the next. After a brief spell as manager at Burnley Howe returned to Bournemouth and led them to two further promotions in three seasons resulting in the club playing in the top flight of English football for the first time in their history. Howe's successes with Bournemouth resulted in him being given the