Newcastle faces challenging period after Eddie Howe’s departure

By Eleanor Vance — 30 July 2026 — 3 min read

Newcastle United is entering a challenging period following the departure of manager Eddie Howe, according to former player Alan Shearer. Howe’s exit comes three weeks into pre-season, with the Premier League set to resume in three weeks. Shearer expressed concern about the club’s direction, particularly regarding player sales and missed transfer targets.

Howe, who is 48, took charge of Newcastle in November 2021 when the club was 19th in the Premier League, five points from safety after 11 games. Under his leadership, the team avoided relegation that season, finishing 11th. He then guided them to a fourth-place finish in the 2022-23 season, followed by seventh and fifth in subsequent seasons. A significant achievement during his tenure was winning the Carabao Cup in 2025, marking the club’s first major trophy since 1969 and first domestic success in 70 years.

Despite these successes, Newcastle finished 12th last season, a result Shearer described as a disappointment. He noted that the club’s performance was hindered by the departure of Alexander Isak last summer and a failure to secure main transfer targets. This trend has reportedly continued this year, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali leaving this summer, and speculation surrounding captain Bruno Guimaraes‘ future.

Managerial Change and Transfer Strategy

The timing of Howe’s departure has surprised some, especially given its proximity to the new season. Shearer suggested that the ongoing sales of key players might have influenced Howe’s decision to leave. He highlighted that the club has also struggled to secure new signings, with players like Hugo Ekitike, Johan Manzambi, and Victor Munoz opting for other clubs such as Liverpool or Aston Villa. Additionally, James Trafford reportedly chose Leeds over Newcastle.

Shearer believes that the club’s transfer strategy has shifted significantly. While the initial ambition was to compete at the highest level, the current approach appears to involve selling established players and replacing them with younger prospects. This change in strategy, according to Shearer, makes it difficult to consistently compete at the top of the table. He also noted that the club’s spending has always had to comply with the Premier League‘s profitability and sustainability rules.

The club’s budget under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was expected to support strong performances, but the 12th-place finish in 2025-26 was worse than several campaigns during the Mike Ashley era. Injuries also impacted the team last season, with only Harvey Barnes, Aaron Ramsdale, and Malick Thiaw featuring in all 38 Premier League games. Only Malick Thiaw and Sandro Tonali made more than 27 league starts, a low number compared to other teams in the division.

Matthias Jaissle, 38, is expected to take over as the new head coach. Jaissle has a record of success, including winning the Austrian Bundesliga twice and the Austrian Cup once with RB Salzburg. He also led Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia to consecutive Asian Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026. However, Shearer cautioned that managing in the Premier League is a different challenge compared to his previous roles.

Looking Ahead

Jaissle’s coaching style is known for high-pressing, attacking football, demanding intensity and turnovers high up the pitch. His former teams included players like Benjamin Sesko and Brenden Aaronson, who now play in the Premier League, and Karim Adeyemi, now at Barcelona. At Al-Ahli, he managed players such as Ivan Toney, Roger Ibanez, and Edouard Mendy.

The departure of Howe and the shift in transfer policy suggest a significant change in direction for Newcastle United. The club’s average finishing position under Howe was consistent with their eighth-highest salary bill in the Premier League. Despite the recent successes, including two Champions League campaigns and a major trophy, the current trajectory indicates a potentially difficult period ahead. Newcastle lost 4-1 to Championship side Bristol City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

Source: bbc.co.uk