Eddie Howe is leaving Newcastle United with immediate effect, according to Fabrizio Romano, Sky Sports and David Ornstein. It’s a surprise end to nearly five years in charge, during which the 48-year-old delivered the club’s first trophy in 70 years.
A word on the wording: the club has not called it a sacking. It hasn’t been specified whether this is a resignation, a mutual departure or a board decision — David Ornstein reports that Howe himself told the club he wants to take a break after years in the Premier League. The exit came shortly after a heavy 4-1 pre-season defeat to Bristol City, though the decision had been building for weeks.
Howe’s record is a mixed one: the 2025 Carabao Cup — Newcastle’s first trophy in 70 years — but also a disappointing 14th-place finish and no European football last season.
Newcastle are already searching for a successor. The favourite is Matthias Jaissle, the 38-year-old Al Ahli coach (a club also linked to Saudi Arabia’s PIF) — talks are at an advanced stage, though nothing is finalised yet. It’s another change in the Premier League dugouts this summer.