Eddie Howe has left his role as Newcastle United head coach.
The decision has been taken following discussions with the club’s hierarchy over the last 48 hours, although Howe had started the ball rolling on a potential departure a number of weeks ago.
In this time, Howe continued to focus on preparing the Newcastle team for their season opener against Liverpool on August 23, live on Sky Sports. Howe’s departure comes 25 days before that fixture.
Matthias Jaissle of Al Ahli Is the favourite to replace Howe. Sky Sports News understands talks are at an advanced stage with the 38-year-old German coach. Al Ahli is one of the four clubs owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – who also own Newcastle.
Kieran McKenna and Antonio Conte were also names on Newcastle’s shortlist.
Newcastle have already had a challenging summer after the sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon – and that continues with uncertainty over their captain Bruno Guimaraes, who is wanted by Arsenal.
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Howe discussed the rumours surrounding Bruno Guimaraes and revealed he wanted to keep him at the club, before news of his departure emerged
Those sales have played a factor in Howe’s decision amid concerns about what the squad will look like at the start of the new campaign. Newcastle also sold striker Alexander Isak for a British-record £125m to Liverpool last summer.
Howe has spent a number of months reflecting on his time at Newcastle and believed he could take the club forward this season, providing Newcastle recruited well this summer.
Newcastle have signed 20-year-old winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim for £42m, 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax for £23m and 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims for £18.5m.
They have recently, however, appeared to miss out on Johan Manzambi, who decided to move to Aston Villa – which was a big blow for Howe and the club.
Howe has been one of Newcastle’s greatest-ever managers, winning the League Cup to end the club’s 70-year wait for silverware as well as taking the club into the Champions League on two occasions after sealing top-five finishes in the Premier League.
Last season, they progressed further in the Champions League than they had ever done before.
Howe’s final game in charge was a brutal 4-1 pre-season loss to Championship side Bristol City on Wednesday night.
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Watch highlights of the pre-season friendly between Bristol City and Newcastle. Credit: Robins TV
When did Howe decide to leave Newcastle?
Sky Sports News’ Keith Downie:
Eddie Howe informed his coaching staff upon return from Bristol City, where they lost 4-1 in a friendly. The decision had nothing to do with the match, it had been in the pipeline for two weeks.
Howe gave his full commitment to the club at the end of the season, but has changed his mind. He is set to take a break from football and Howe wanted the club to have a replacement lined up before he left.
This is Howe’s decision, the club tried to convince him to stay. He feels he has taken it as far as he can after nearly five years at the helm.
There is no acrimony, the club love him and think he’s done an amazing job.
The players have yet to be told. They are on a day off today. The squad fly out to Spain for a pre-season training camp on Friday. Newcastle are yet to comment or put out a statement.
This is not ideal timing as far as the club are concerned, but they are moving swiftly to try and replace Howe. They are in advanced talks with Jaissle of Al Alhi, having also spoken to Antonio Conte and Kieran McKenna.
‘I cannot assure Bruno future’ – Howe’s final words as boss
In his final words as Newcastle boss, Howe refused to offer assurances over the future of captain Guimaraes amid heavy interest from Arsenal – but added the player is not in control of his own future.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this month that Guimaraes had told Newcastle he would like to leave the club in favour of a move to the Premier League champions, but the Magpies had no intention of selling the 28-year-old Brazil international.
Asked about Guimaraes, who is yet to rejoin his team-mates following the World Cup, Howe said on Wednesday night: “Assurances – I don’t think you can push too hard for those. I think I’ve said many times you want players that are committed.
“Bruno’s always been committed here. His training performances, his game performances, have been outstanding. Every time he’s worn the shirt, he’s played with the fans by his side. I’d love to see that continue.
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A look back at when Arsenal target Guimaraes took on the Gunners in a fiery clash at St James’ Park in 2023
“I think we want to keep all of our best players. They’re so valuable, and as I said numerous times, there aren’t many of them, and to get them and develop them is so difficult.
“So when you have them, you want to keep them. And Bruno’s very much in that category; he’s an outstanding player.”
Asked if this saga dragging on creates a negative mood, Howe replied: “Any distraction, if it’s not healthy, is unhealthy. So, yeah.
“But we’re not in control of that. And to some degree, I don’t think Bruno’s in control of that either.
“What will be, will be. We can’t control the forces that are at play here, we’ve just got to make sure that when Bruno comes back, we look after him and he trains well, which I’m sure he will do. And he makes a difference as he always has done.”
Bothroyd: Newcastle in relegation scrap without Howe
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Former Arsenal and England striker Jay Bothroyd worries for Newcastle following the departure of Howe and predicts they could end up in a relegation battle this season
Sky Sports News’ Jay Bothroyd:
“There’s so many players leaving, so to be honest I can understand why he [Howe] would want to leave now.
“He’s saying: ‘I had a strong squad. You’ve taken away some of the best players I had. Some of the best players in the Premier League. You’re replacing them with unproven players in the Premier League.’
“It seems to me that he doesn’t have the control he wants. He doesn’t want to see these players leave.
“It’s just really bad times for Newcastle, yet again. This is even worse than last year. Losing [Alexander] Isak and him not turning up to training is one thing, but now you’re losing one of the best managers in the country and all your best players.
“Where do Newcastle go from here? It’s going to be an unproven manager because who wants to put themselves in a situation where you don’t have a strong side.
“I said mid-table [as a Premier League prediction]. Now I’m saying bottom half of the table.
“They’re way off it. They’re going to be in a relegation battle this year.”
Your views on Howe’s exit…
HullToon: I cannot believe it. Does he feel supported enough? Does the project still match the original plan that he set out for? There are so many questions raised because of this. Last season was disappointing, but there’s mitigating circumstances.
JimmiDee: Regardless of last years disappointment, Howe has done an unbelievable job, and he’s had to put up with his team being pillaged the last two seasons and expected to produce the same results with bargain bin replacements which is just completely unrealistic. He deserves better.
SPritc80: A section of our short sighted fans are to blame for Eddie leaving and some big hitters choosing to leave. Results have not gone our way at times. Jumping on the back of players and the head coach in the way they have is disrespectful. No wonder they are all leaving.
BrettJ2002: Why didn’t Eddie Howe decide to do this before pre-season started so new manager can get a lot more time in with the squad? Thanks to Eddie for what he has done, but his time was definitely up.
Chris W: Strongly support Eddie – that’s two new statues we need this month!
Fez71: Didn’t look like Eddie was getting backed, selling all our best players. Very sad times, thanks for all the memories, Eddie.
