Following discussions with the club's hierarchy over the past 48 hours, Eddie Howe has decided to leave his position as Newcastle United head coach. This decision comes after Howe had initiated talks about a potential departure several weeks ago.
Despite this, he continued to prepare the team for their upcoming season opener against Liverpool, scheduled for August 23. Howe's departure occurs 25 days before this fixture.
Matthias Jaissle, currently with Al Ahli, is the frontrunner to replace Howe, with Newcastle aiming to finalize his appointment within 24 hours. Jaissle, a 38-year-old German coach, has been in advanced discussions with the club. Other candidates, including Kieran McKenna and Antonio Conte, were also considered before Jaissle emerged as the preferred choice. Jaissle is expected to oversee Newcastle's pre-season training camp in La Manga.
The club has faced a challenging summer, with the sales of key players Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, and uncertainty surrounding captain Bruno Guimaraes, who is reportedly sought after by Arsenal. These factors are believed to have contributed to Howe's decision, as he expressed concerns about the squad's composition at the start of the new campaign. Newcastle has made recent signings, including Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur, and Ewen Jaouen, but missing out on Johan Manzambi, who opted for Aston Villa, was a significant blow.
Howe's tenure at Newcastle has been marked by notable achievements, including winning the League Cup and securing top-five finishes in the Premier League, which led to Champions League qualifications. Last season, the team progressed further in the Champions League than ever before. Howe's final game in charge ended in a 4-1 pre-season loss to Bristol City.
According to Sky Sports News' Keith Downie, Howe informed his coaching staff of his decision after the match, stating that it had been in the works for two weeks. Howe intends to take a break from football, and the club is moving swiftly to replace him, with Jaissle being the top candidate.
The players have not yet been notified, as they are currently on a day off, and the squad is set to fly out to Spain for a pre-season training camp on Friday. Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher believes that Howe's decision may be due to the demands and intensity of managing Newcastle, which can be overwhelming. Carragher thinks that Howe may have felt he lacked the energy to rebuild the team, a process that could take two to three years. In his final words as Newcastle boss, Howe refrained from providing assurances about Guimaraes' future, stating that the player is not in control of his own destiny.
Howe expressed his desire to keep the club's best players, including Guimaraes, who is highly valued. The situation surrounding Guimaraes has created uncertainty, and Howe acknowledged that any distraction can be unhealthy.
Fans have reacted to the news, with some understanding Howe's decision and others expressing disappointment and concern about the club's future. Some fans have criticized the club's approach, feeling that Howe was not supported enough, and that the project no longer aligns with his original vision. Others have praised Howe's achievements and expressed gratitude for his time at the club.