Newcastle United

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Newcastle United have confirmed Eddie Howe's decision to step down as head coach after almost five years at the helm.

In a statement released on the club's website, Howe said: "After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United.

"After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break.

"Although it's been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it's the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I've been here and this one is no different.

"It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United.

"It is difficult to put into words what this club, the city and its supporters mean, and will always mean, to me and my family. From the moment myself, Jason and all of the staff arrived nearly half a decade ago, Newcastle instantly felt like home and the people here welcomed us with open arms.

"We took huge pride in representing the club from day one and this city will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

"There have been so many incredible moments in our time here. From fighting relegation in our first season to the numerous unforgettable nights at St. James' Park in the Champions League soon after. The progression was fast.

"Everyone came together, united and what a force we became, culminating in bringing home our first domestic trophy in 70 years. These are all memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

"While my journey as manager has now come to an end, the affinity and love I will always hold for Newcastle United never will.

"Thank you for everything. I wish the club every success for the future."

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Newcastle United chief executive officer David Hopkinson says he is "naturally disappointed" by Eddie Howe's decision to step down from his role, but "immensely thankful" for the head coach's work over the past four-and-a-half years.

"Eddie Howe and his staff leave with the deep gratitude and respect of everyone at Newcastle United," Hopkinson's statement, external read. "And with a lasting place in the club's history.

"While we are naturally disappointed to see him leave, we remain immensely thankful for everything he has done for the club.

"On behalf of our owners, the board, players, staff and supporters, I would like to extend sincere thanks to him for his outstanding service and leadership.

"I wish him and his family every success and happiness for the future."

After replacing Steve Bruce as Newcastle United manager in November 2021, Howe helped the club earn Champions League qualification on two occasions and also lifted the Carabao Cup in 2024-25.

Sporting director Ross Wilson added: "I would like to thank Eddie Howe and his staff for everything they have done for Newcastle United.

"I'm grateful for the support, trust and partnership he has shown throughout our time working together. His dedication to the players, staff and supporters has been evident.

"He leaves with the respect and admiration of everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside him."

The club also confirmed that the process to recruit a new head coach is "at an advanced stage" and promised supporters that an update will be "communicated shortly".

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We asked for your views on Matthias Jaissle's expected appointment as Newcastle United boss, following Thursday's news of Eddie Howe being set to depart.

Here are some of your comments:

Matthew: Jaissle seems a very competent, up and coming manager but we need a proven Premier League manager who can continue what Eddie was doing. The board need to be speaking to Mauricio Pochettino.

Rob: Absolutely not the right choice. I'm still in shock that Eddie Howe left but for our replacement to be a manager who has worked in the Danish, Saudi and Austrian leagues doesn't exactly fill me with hope. I would have preferred more of an experienced manager but, to be honest, I don't blame Eddie for leaving. We lost our three best players and got humbled by Bristol. Good luck.

Gill: I'm concerned this has all the signs of Spurs and Igor Tudor… I only hope I'm wrong.

Matt: As a long-time Newcastle fan back to the Keegan-era (may he rest in peace), please can we have one summer where my nerves are not completely shredded by transfer or managerial drama please? Is that too much to ask?!

Richard: Jaissle will be afforded more leeway as it's his first season, although he'll still be expected to deliver some degree of success. His style isn't a radical departure from Eddies so the change won't be too dramatic.

Kegs: A fresh/new approach was definitely needed, after the disaster of last season. Hopefully new ideas, enthusiasm, and drive will move the club forward - he has my full backing.

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Take a step back and, whether we like it or not, we can all see what is happening with all the ins and outs at Newcastle. Whatever statements come out of the club, it is clear the landscape has changed.

It is a changing football club - in terms of its owners' aims and ambitions and their transfer strategy, which all seem massively different to the way they were even three years ago.

Back then, the sky seemed to be the limit, and the talk was about competing with the very best.

Now, the approach seems to be to sell their best players and replace them with younger, hungry and up-and-coming prospects. If it was that easy to do it successfully and still compete at the top of the table, then everyone would do it - but it isn't.

The club's spending always had to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules but it still felt like the plan was to battle it out for silverware every season.

Go back to the summer of 2023, when Newcastle had just finished fourth and added Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento to a squad already containing Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes.

It felt like they were ready to challenge for everything, and capable of beating everyone. Eddie Howe had made them a horrible team to play against, in the nicest possible way.

Three years on, much of that team has gone and now the manager has too, but it is the whole model which feels the most different.

The goalposts have moved massively from where the club said they wanted to get to, compared to where they are now.

When we won the Carabao Cup, I was hoping it was just the start of something very special, but it seems a lot has changed since then.

Read more from Shearer's column reflecting on Howe's departure

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Al-Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle is the surprise favourite to succeed Eddie Howe - who is expected to leave his role with immediate effect - as Newcastle head coach - and he would arrive with a strong recent record of success.

Former Red Bull Salzburg boss Jaissle took his first coaching steps as assistant manager of Danish club Brondby between 2017 and 2019. He then took over Salzburg's under-18 academy team before becoming a head coach for the first time at Liefering in Austria's second tier.

He guided them to a second-placed finish, the club's joint-best position, and that achievement helped him become Salzburg manager in 2021, replacing Jesse Marsch, who would later manage Leeds United in the Premier League and then Canada at the 2026 World Cup.

In two seasons with Salzburg, Jaissle won the Austrian Bundesliga twice and also the Austrian Cup.

Jaissle joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in 2023 and led them to consecutive Asian Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026. Such success would have been noted by Newcastle's Saudi ownership in the event of Howe leaving St James' Park.

Magpies supporters could be encouraged by Jaissle's methods - his teams play high-pressing, attacking football. He demands they show intensity and force turnovers as high up the pitch as possible.

What do you think about Jaissle's expected arrival? Do you think he is the right man for the job, or should Newcastle appoint someone else?

Get in touch with your views here

Two Austrian Bundesliga titles, an Austrian Cup, two AFC Champions League titles and a Saudi Super Cup - Matthias Jaissle - the man expected to replace Eddie Howe at Newcastle - knows how to win.

Since joining Al-Ahli in 2023, the 38-year-old has cemented the Saudi side into a top-table team.

Saudi football expert Mohamed Qutob told BBC Radio Newcastle: "He did benefit from the fact that his club, from all the clubs run by the PIF, didn't have this massive figure [in the team], like Neymar, Benzema or Cristiano Ronaldo.

"He earned his popularity. Let's not forget the four clubs taken over by PIF three years ago. He is the only one who survived the three seasons."

Zlatko Junuzovic, who was managed by the young German boss for a brief spell at RB Salzburg, said Jaissle's philosophy is built around a high attacking line.

"The philosophy is to play against the ball by pressing, a high-line to attack the defenders and, in the best case, you win the ball in their half, and you can go directly to the goal," he explained.

Explore more Newcastle United content on BBC Sounds

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German football journalist Constantin Eckner says he rates Matthias Jaissle, who is expected to replace Eddie Howe at Newcastle, "very highly".

Jaissle joined Al-Ahli in 2023 and led the Saudi club to back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in 2024-25 and 2025-26.

"He might be the right man for the job," said Eckner on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "There are a couple of uncertainties regarding Newcastle's transfers this summer, so we don't know how the team will look when the Premier League starts or once deadline day has passed.

"But I rate Matthias Jaissle very highly. His football is still very intensity-based, but he shows a lot of flexibility.

"Jaissle, like Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton, is a young coach who is very good at coaching intensity to all kind of players.

"One big advantage I have been told about him is that he communicates very efficiently and precisely. He doesn't ramble - it's clear-cut and his English has improved massively.

"We have to see how he deals with the pressure, but he is smart and able to put things into perspective by himself."

Listen to the full episode of Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Former Newcastle midfielder Dan Gosling has said "discontent" had been building at the club since the start of last season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Gosling said: "Newcastle end up getting second or third-place targets - again. It seems to be happening again and again. It is a difficult place to be as manager.

"After what he [Eddie Howe] had done to bring two Champions League qualifications and to win a trophy, I think he deserved everything from them."

Gosling said the Magpies' 2025 summer buys were the main reason for Newcastle's poor 2025-26 campaign.

"The players that have come in to replace the guys that have left the building didn't really hit the heights of those players, and they just never seemed to gel last season at all."

Gosling added that everything had "gone south slowly" when Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi sold their 6% stake in the club in July 2024.

"Maybe he has not felt the love since Amanda left. I felt they had a really strong relationship and, ever since she left, it has kind of gone south slowly."

Hit play above to hear more from Gosling or listen on BBC Sounds here

Watch below as ex-Magpies defender John Anderson gives his reaction, saying Howe looked a "tired man" after pre-season games...

Explore more Newcastle United content on BBC Sounds

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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So what are the rules that Newcastle have, at times, come close to breaking? From the beginning of the PIF takeover, Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) have put the brakes on Newcastle's ambitions to spend.

Just because a club has wealthy owners does not mean they can spend big in the transfer windows.

After buying the club in 2021, PIF spent £404.7m in the first three years. But by bringing in only £50.4m from sales, Newcastle saw the stark reality of PSR hit home in 2024.

That led to them having to sell homegrown talent Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and has snowballed since, with important players being offloaded every season.

The Magpies welcomed the new Financial Fair Play rules - the Squad Cost Ratio (SCR), which are now in effect - and, in short, mean the more you generate, the more you can spend.

But, when analysing their spending power against that of other Premier League clubs, Swiss Ramble, external found that the Magpies' SCR budget ranked ninth (£243m) in the Premier League.

On top of that, in April, the PIF withdrew its multibillion dollar backing of LIV Golf after Yasir Al-Rumayyan - the fund's governor and chairman of Newcastle - confirmed it was reviewing its deals and investments.

In turn, questions were raised about what that meant for the future of Newcastle - but senior club figures were informed at the time that the pullout did not affect the club. The fund is still viewed as being engaged.

In the club's most recent set of accounts from last season, Newcastle's revenues have more than doubled to £335.3m - from the £140.2m recorded in the final full campaign of Mike Ashley's ownership.

There are also plans for a new state-of-the-art training ground while Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson has outlined a desire to revamp St James' Park or move stadiums to increase matchday revenue.

The potential appointment of former Red Bull Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle is also intriguing given he is currently in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli - a club the PIF held a majority stake in until selling it in April.

Read more on the troubles facing Newcastle's Saudi owners here

Manchester United are preparing a bid for Newcastle defender Lewis Hall. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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Eddie Howe has given Newcastle fans some of our happiest memories.

We broke our trophy drought with him. We got into the Champions League twice with him. We fell back in love with Newcastle United with him. And now he's gone.

Last season was a struggle. This summer's transfer window (and, of course, last summer's transfer window) has been less than inspiring. In those terms, it makes sense that Howe has departed, to make way for someone else to make their mark on the club. Wednesday's defeat at Bristol City in a pre-season friendly sort of cemented that for me.

The timing, despite the thrashing in Bristol, does seem a little odd. The conversation about Howe's future has been in the air since the beginning of the year. It looked certain he would leave after being beaten twice by Sunderland. He stayed. The season ended on a disappointing note.

The timing, for me, is the thing that is difficult to understand. This could have happened in May, at the end of the season, when a lot of high-calibre managers were looking for new clubs. It was clear, at that point, that Howe needed a break.

One of the things we have loved about him as a manager is how much he clearly cares about the team, the club and the city. Our poor performances in the latter part of the season were taking a visible toll on him. Perhaps it would have been a better idea for this amicable separation to have happened at that point?

More than that, however, it would have given us a chance to celebrate Howe's achievements. Some might scoff at that, but I prefer to be a bit romantic with it all.

Maybe him leaving this way is football, and the nature of the beast. I just hope when we look back what we remember is the magic, because it really was for a while.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

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The timing of Eddie Howe's exit is the biggest surprise for me - three weeks into pre-season, and with only three weeks to go until the Premier League starts again.

I don't know exactly what has gone on behind the scenes for this to happen now but I guess, from his point of view, he was seeing his best players being sold - first Alexander Isak, then Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer - and with speculation over captain Bruno Guimaraes' future too.

He has probably thought it was a tough enough job anyway, but it is just getting tougher.

You cannot keep on selling your best players and then hope to be in contention at the top of the table. I hope I'm wrong, but it is probably inevitable that Bruno will be next to leave.

Whatever Bruno's intentions were before, when Eddie was in charge, then he must look now and think well, we are selling our stars and now the manager, who he clearly had a great rapport with, has gone too.

It's not just the players leaving that is a bad look, it is seeing a series of attempted signings fail to get over the line as well.

Hugo Ekitike, Johan Manzambi and Victor Munoz all went to Liverpool or Aston Villa ahead of Newcastle in the past 12 months, and now it also looks like James Trafford has chosen Leeds instead.

That's something else that Eddie has maybe looked at, because there has to be a reason why Newcastle are not getting so many of their targets.

Losing the manager on top of all this is a huge blow, especially a high-calibre one like Eddie who is going to get some huge job offers from home and abroad off the back of his achievements at St James' Park.

I think even someone really experienced would find the situation a difficult one and Matthias Jaissle, who is expected to get the job, is only 38.

While he has been successful with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, you cannot really compare that to working in the Premier League, which is a completely different beast.

Read more from Shearer

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Newcastle fan Samantha Rees has told BBC Radio 5 Live that Eddie Howe "will go down as one of our best managers in modern times" regardless of last season's underwhelming finish.

Speaking on the Football Daily podcast, Rees said she "couldn't believe it" when she heard the news on Thursday morning that Howe is expected to leave the club with immediate effect.

She had been at Bristol City on Wednesday for the pre-season friendly defeat.

"Social media is toxic and you had some fans that really wanted him out last season, but I always thought they should give him a bit longer," she said.

"We didn't have a very good season, but I was very shocked [by the news]. I really thought he might have given it a bit longer.

"In terms of fans that are at the matches, I'd say 70% were behind Eddie, but the other 30% thought he had gone as far as he could.

"He won us the [League Cup] trophy and got us into the Champions League [twice], so a lot thought he deserved the chance. Then there was the Alexander Isak saga and players not coming to us, so he was bound to get frustrated.

"I don't blame him [for leaving], but I feel really sad that it has come to this.

"I feel sorry for him as he's probably had no control over the things that have been happening and I hope he knows the majority of the fan base wish him well.

"He will go down as one of our best managers in modern times because he won us a trophy after waiting all that time for it.

"He gave me one of the best days of my life."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

A Football Daily podcast reacting to Eddie Howe's departure from Newcastle is now live on BBC Sounds.

John Bennett is joined by Telegraph's Luke Edwards to discuss why exactly Howe is leaving and Newcastle fan Samantha Rees tells of her shock hearing the news just three weeks out from the new Premier League campaign.

You can also hear all about the frontrunner to replace Howe, Matthias Jaissle, from German football writer Constantin Eckner.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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We asked for your views on the news that manager Eddie Howe is set to leave the club with immediate effect after almost five years in charge.

Some fans think the change is a good one...

Gareth: Thanks for the cup Eddie, but you said it yourself that you didn't have a plan B and that was your downfall - losing loads of points from a winning position because you only had one tactic that other teams worked out. Fans could see that playing players out of position wasn't working but you just carried on and it cost us a lot of points. Thanks Eddie, but time to change.

Lewis: I feel that this is the right time for Eddie Howe to go, he isn't the right manager to take us to where we want to be, however I don't think the owners have backed him enough to improve the players or improve the depth of the squad. I would just like to thank Eddie for the Champions League nights and getting a first trophy in 70 years.

Russell: Sadly I think it's the right decision for him and the club. We have not played well for a while and he's taken us as far as he can. That said, for me he still leaves as a legend for what he did for the club. He should never have to pay for a pint in Newcastle again and forever will be an honorary Geordie. Thanks for everything Eddie, good luck for the future.

But others are "devastated"...

Ruli: This is a terrible development. Despite the challenges last season, I feel that the majority of the fanbase still supported Howe. Replacing him with an unknown quantity just before the start of the season is arguably the worst possible outcome. I have very low expectations of this season now. Thank you Eddie for dragging us from the brink of relegation, you are our most successful manager for decades!

Sue: Devastated to see Eddie go. Gave us hope, joy, belief and our first domestic trophy in 70 years. And a great bloke, humble and calm. Think this is the definite sign that Bruno Guimaraes is going too. Thanks for all the memories, there were much more highs than lows during the last five years. Love you Eddie and wish you well in whatever you do. Will miss you and never forget you.

Lauren: As a Newcastle fan, Eddie Howe leaving is genuinely devastating. Players come and go - that's football - but managers like Eddie don't come around often. People never seem to give him the credit or respect he deserves. For a club that's constantly written off, mocked, or labelled as "just a mid-table team," he carried an unbelievable amount of pressure and criticism. Yet he helped transform the club and gave us memories that many of us will never forget. I truly wish him nothing but success wherever he goes. I'm incredibly grateful for everything he did for Newcastle, and honestly, I'm nervous about what comes next. Anyone celebrating this clearly doesn't understand what Eddie Howe meant to this club. Today is a really sad day for Newcastle United.

Paul: Bizarre timing. If the decision was made, why wait until there are only 25 days before the season starts? Now you've got to find the right manager, get them through the door, and somehow expect them to implement a completely new system in less than four weeks. Either make the change earlier in the summer or back the man you've got. I just don't understand the logic.

David: Howe has done a great job under difficult circumstances. The first manager to bring silverware to the club in decades. Really sorry to hear this news. Some of the fan base are unrealistic in their expectations. God knows where this leaves us as we go into the new season. Very disappointed.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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It is understood that Eddie Howe communicated his intention to leave to the Newcastle hierarchy around a fortnight ago.

Newcastle initially asked him to reconsider to continue leading the club into next season.

Eventually, though, Newcastle accepted Howe's wishes but asked him to stay as they identified his replacement - a request the coach accepted.

Sources insist that Howe does not have another job lined up with his decision purely based on a feeling that his tenure has run its course, and that he will take a break from football before deciding his next steps.

Howe is said to be deeply emotional about the decision but it is one that has been on his mind for a number of months.

BBC Sport understands that the transfer strategy has prompted concern at how the squad is shaping up for next season and how competitive it may be, though that alone is not the only factor in Howe's decision to quit.

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Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle about Eddie Howe's exit: "Shocked but at the same time kind of not.

"Eddie for a long time has basically had to put fires out. You are losing your best players.

"You can understand the frustration with him when he's trying to build something but you're having that semi-taken away losing your best players. It's always going to be difficult.

"You can understand his frustration.

"There's never a good time to lose a manager. The fans are going to be very frustrated he's leaving at this moment but as I said, there's never really a good time to lose one.

"He's been an excellent manager. On social media you get people saying 'Eddie needs to go'. I've never been one for that. Sometimes people think the grass is greener and that is not the case on times.

"The next manager need to get the city, to know the people, to get how important being manager of Newcastle United is. If you don't get that, straight away you are fighting a losing battle. So you need somebody who wants to come in, embrace the area, the fans and club. If they do that initially, that's a good start."

Listen to Howe above and listen to fan reaction here