Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe steps down after nearly five years

By Eleanor Vance — 31 July 2026 — 3 min read

Eddie Howe has departed from his role as head coach of Newcastle United, concluding a tenure of nearly five years. His departure follows a season where the Magpies finished 12th in the Premier League. Howe stated that after a period of personal reflection, he believes it is the right time for him to step away.

The club has confirmed that the process to find a new head coach is well underway. German coach Matthias Jaissle is reportedly the frontrunner to take over the position.

Howe’s Tenure and Achievements

Howe took charge of Newcastle United in November 2021. In his first season, he guided the team to an 11th-placed finish. Under his leadership, the club achieved Champions League qualification on two occasions, specifically in the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons. Additionally, the team secured their first major domestic trophy in 70 years by winning the League Cup in 2024-25.

Last season, Newcastle advanced to the Champions League knockout phase for the first time in their history, where they were eliminated by Barcelona in the last 16. Despite these achievements, the team lost 17 of their 38 Premier League matches last season and did not secure European football for the upcoming season.

Howe reflected on his time at the club, highlighting the rapid progression from battling relegation in his initial season to experiencing memorable Champions League nights at St James’ Park. He expressed that the unity within the club created a powerful force, and these memories will be cherished.

In his statement, Howe mentioned that he has dedicated his life, heart, and soul to the club with unrelenting energy. He feels that stepping away to recharge and take a break is in the best interests of both himself and the club. He described managing Newcastle United as the privilege of his lifetime, acknowledging the difficulty of his decision but affirming it as the correct one.

Along with Howe, his coaching staff, including Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches, and Simon Weatherstone, will also depart from St James’ Park. Dan Hodges, the head of performance, is also leaving the club.

Newcastle United‘s chief executive, David Hopkinson, conveyed the club’s deep gratitude and respect for Howe and his staff. Hopkinson stated that while the club is naturally disappointed by Howe’s departure, they remain thankful for his contributions, which have secured him a lasting place in the club’s history.

Future Leadership and Squad Changes

The club is preparing for a new era, with Matthias Jaissle expected to be announced as the new head coach. Reports indicate that Newcastle has agreed to pay a compensation fee of £9.5m (€11m) to Saudi side Al Ahli for Jaissle’s services. The German coach, who previously managed Red Bull Salzburg, is anticipated to sign a four-year contract at St James’ Park.

The plan is for the 38-year-old Jaissle to join his new players at their training camp in La Manga, Spain, on Saturday. His first match in charge is scheduled to be a pre-season friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla next Saturday.

The summer transfer window has seen some significant movements for Newcastle. The club has lost two key midfielders: Sandro Tonali, who moved to Tottenham, and Anthony Gordon, who joined Barcelona. Additionally, Arsenal is reportedly pursuing captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has expressed a desire to join the Premier League champions.

Last summer, Newcastle invested approximately £240m in new players. However, Howe reportedly faced frustration when Alexander Isak‘s transfer saga concluded with the Sweden striker moving to Liverpool for a reported British record fee of £125m. Howe remains optimistic about Newcastle‘s future, believing the club is in capable hands with a strong leadership team that will continue to deliver success.

Howe’s final match as head coach was a 4-1 defeat against Bristol City at Ashton Gate in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

Source: bbc.com