Eddie Howe has officially stepped down from his position as head coach of Newcastle United. The decision was reached after intensive discussions with the club’s senior management over the past two days, although the idea of his exit had been circulating for several weeks.
During this period Howe remained focused on readying the Magpies for their opening Premier League match against Liverpool on August 23, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. His departure now comes just 25 days before that high‑profile fixture.
The leading candidate to replace Howe is Matthias Jaissle, currently employed by Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Sky Sports News reports that negotiations with the 38‑year‑old German are at an advanced stage and Newcastle hope to announce his appointment within the next 24 hours.
Al Ahli is one of the four clubs owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the same sovereign wealth fund that also controls Newcastle United. Other names that featured on the shortlist included Kieran McKenna and Antonio Conte, but the club appears to have settled on Jaissle. If confirmed, Jaissle will immediately assume responsibility for Newcastle’s pre‑season training camp in La Manga, Spain. The summer has already been turbulent for the club.
Newcastle have already seen the departures of midfielders Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, and uncertainty now surrounds captain Bruno Guimarães, who is heavily linked with a move to Arsenal. Those player sales have been cited as a factor in Howe’s decision, as he expressed concerns about the quality of the squad he would inherit for the new campaign.
In addition, the Magpies sold striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British‑record £125 million last summer. Despite the upheaval, Newcastle have been active in the transfer market.
They secured the services of 20‑year‑old winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim for £42 million, 18‑year‑old midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax for £23 million and 20‑year‑old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims for £18.5 million. A bid for Johan Manzambi fell through when the player opted to join Aston Villa, a setback that reportedly disappointed Howe. Howe’s tenure at Newcastle will be remembered as one of the most successful in the club’s modern history. He guided the team to a League Cup triumph, ending a 70‑year trophy drought, and oversaw two top‑five Premier League finishes that earned Newcastle places in the Champions League.
Under his guidance the club reached unprecedented stages of the European competition last season. His final appearance in charge was a 4‑1 defeat to Championship side Bristol City in a pre‑season friendly.
After the match, Howe informed his coaching staff that his departure had been planned for two weeks and was not a reaction to the result. He explained that he had given his full commitment to the club at the end of the previous season but had since changed his mind, opting to take a break from football. Howe also emphasised that he wanted the club to have a successor in place before he left, a sentiment echoed by the board, which reportedly tried to persuade him to stay.
According to Sky Sports News’ Keith Downie, there is no ill‑will between Howe and Newcastle; the club still holds him in high regard and acknowledges his contributions. Players have not yet been informed of the change, and the squad is scheduled to travel to Spain for their training camp on Friday. Newcastle have yet to release an official statement, but sources say they are moving quickly to finalise Jaissle’s appointment. Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, speaking for Sky Sports, questioned whether Howe still possessed the energy to rebuild the squad after the recent exodus of key players.
Carragher noted that the demands on a manager at a club the size of Newcastle are immense, and that the combination of a demanding pre‑season schedule and the looming departure of Guimarães may have tipped the balance for Howe. Nonetheless, Carragher praised Howe’s legacy, calling him an "icon" and "legend" at the club. In his last press remarks, Howe declined to guarantee the future of captain Bruno Guimarães, who remains the subject of intense speculation.
He reiterated that Guimarães has always shown commitment and professionalism, and that the club wishes to retain its best talent. Howe warned that any distraction surrounding the transfer saga could be unhealthy, but stressed that neither he nor the player could control external forces.
Former professional striker Jay Bothroyd added his perspective, suggesting that Howe’s resignation is understandable given the loss of several star players and the influx of unproven replacements. Bothroyd predicted a challenging season ahead for Newcastle, possibly involving a relegation battle, and expressed concern over the club’s direction under an untested manager.
Fans and commentators on social media have voiced a range of emotions. Some, like HullToon, wonder whether Howe felt adequately supported and whether the original project he envisioned is still viable. Others, such as JimmiDee, argue that Howe deserves credit for navigating a period of heavy player turnover and that the expectations placed on him were unrealistic.
A handful of supporters, including Chris W, have pledged continued support for Howe, even suggesting the erection of new statues in his honour. Overall, Newcastle United now face a pivotal moment.
With a new manager likely to arrive before the La Manga camp, the club must quickly integrate fresh signings, manage the ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Guimarães, and rebuild morale after a summer marked by high‑profile departures. The upcoming weeks will determine whether Jaissle can sustain the standards set by Howe or if the Magpies will embark on a rebuilding phase that could see them fighting for survival in the Premier League.