Newcastle United announced on Thursday that Eddie Howe has left his role as head coach with immediate effect, according to BBC. The 48-year-old, who took charge in November 2021, steered the club to an 11th-placed finish in his first season and won the club’s first major domestic trophy in 70 years in 2023-24. Last season, the Magpies reached the Champions League knockout stage for the first time, but finished 12th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for European competition next season.

Howe’s legacy and challenges

Howe’s Premier League win percentage of 46.9% is the second-highest in club history, trailing only Kevin Keegan (54.6%), according to BBC. His 84 Premier League wins are the most by any Newcastle manager. The BBC analysis noted that Howe may have felt the squad lacked the depth and quality to compete in a season of financial constraints, especially after selling key players like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon to meet financial regulations.

Howe said in a statement: “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. It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United.”

Jaissle to take over and transfer rumors

German coach Matthias Jaissle is the favorite to replace Howe, according to BBC and Vietnam.vn. Jaissle, 38, 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 has won two Austrian Bundesliga titles and an Austrian Cup in his coaching career. His contract with Newcastle is reported to run until 2030, with official confirmation expected within days.

talkSPORT reported that Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer and are close to completing a deal for Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal. Meanwhile, 21-year-old defender Lewis Hall is being heavily linked with a £50 million move to Manchester United. Hall made 46 appearances for Newcastle last season under Howe. talkSPORT pundit Flex argued that United should act quickly to secure Hall before the situation at Newcastle becomes more unstable.

Concerns from a legend

Alan Shearer, Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer, expressed concern about the club’s direction following the rumors of Howe’s departure, according to FotMob. “Gracias, Eddie Howe. Me diste el mejor día de mi vida como aficionado del Newcastle,” Shearer wrote. “Sean cuales sean los motivos de su salida del club, creo que cualquier seguidor de mi edad o más joven —y tengo 55— diría lo mismo.” Shearer said he believes the club may enter a difficult period without Howe at the helm.

Howe’s assistants, including Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches, and Simon Weatherstone, are also expected to leave St. James’ Park, according to BBC. His final match in charge was a 4-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Bristol City at Ashton Gate. The club said the new head coach appointment is at an advanced stage, with Jaissle the clear favorite.