Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe steps down, Matthias Jaissle set to take charge
Eddie Howe has departed from his role as head coach of Newcastle United after nearly five years with the club. His exit follows a season where the Magpies concluded their Premier League campaign in 12th position. The club is now preparing to announce Matthias Jaissle as the new head coach, with an announcement anticipated on Saturday.
Howe’s tenure saw significant achievements, including guiding Newcastle to Champions League qualification on two separate occasions. Under his leadership, the club also secured the League Cup in the 2024-25 season, marking their first major domestic trophy in 70 years. Despite these successes, the recent season saw Newcastle lose 17 of their 38 Premier League matches and miss out on European football for the upcoming season.
Howe’s Departure and Legacy
Eddie Howe, 48, stated that his decision to step down came after a period of personal reflection, believing it was the right time to move on. He expressed that after dedicating his life, heart, and soul to the club with unrelenting energy for nearly five years, it was in the best interests of both himself and the club for him to step away, recharge, and take a break. He described managing Newcastle United as the privilege of his lifetime.
Howe initially took charge of Newcastle in November 2021, successfully steering the team to an 11th-placed finish in his first season. The 2022-23 season saw them qualify for the Champions League, a feat they repeated in 2024-25. Last season, the Magpies advanced to the Champions League knockout phase for the first time, where they were defeated by Barcelona in the last 16.
Reflecting on his time, Howe mentioned the numerous unforgettable nights at St James’ Park in the Champions League, highlighting the rapid progression from fighting relegation to competing in Europe’s elite competition. He emphasized the unity within the club, which he believes made them a formidable force. These memories, he noted, will be cherished for the rest of his life.
Accompanying Howe in his departure are his coaching staff, including Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches, and Simon Weatherstone, along with head of performance Dan Hodges. Howe’s final match in charge was a 4-1 defeat against Bristol City in a pre-season friendly held at Ashton Gate on Wednesday.
Despite his departure, Howe remains optimistic about Newcastle‘s future, stating that the club is in capable hands with a strong leadership team. He expressed confidence that the club will continue to achieve success on the pitch with whoever takes over his role.
The Search for a Successor
The process to recruit a new head coach for Newcastle United is reportedly at an advanced stage. Matthias Jaissle, a German coach, is the favourite to be appointed. 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 38-year-old German, who previously managed Red Bull Salzburg, is expected to sign a four-year contract at St James’ Park. The plan is for Jaissle to join his new players at their training camp in La Manga, Spain, on Saturday. His first match as head coach is scheduled to be a pre-season friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla next Saturday.
The announcement of Howe’s departure was reportedly delayed to ensure that the deal for Jaissle was agreed upon. David Hopkinson, Newcastle‘s chief executive, conveyed the club’s deep gratitude and respect for Howe and his staff, acknowledging their lasting place in the club’s history. He added that while the club is disappointed to see Howe leave, they are immensely thankful for his contributions.
This summer has also seen significant player movement for Newcastle. Midfielders Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have departed, joining Tottenham and Barcelona respectively. Additionally, Arsenal is reportedly pursuing captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has indicated his desire to join the Premier League champions. Last summer, Newcastle invested approximately £240m in new players, though Howe was reportedly frustrated when Alexander Isak‘s transfer saga concluded with the Sweden striker moving to Liverpool for a British record fee of £125m.
Source: bbc.com