Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is set to leave the club following discussions with the club’s hierarchy, bringing an end to a tenure that included Champions League qualification, a domestic trophy and a period of significant rebuilding.
Sources say the 48-year-old has been considering his future for some time, with growing concerns over the club’s direction and transfer decisions reportedly influencing his position.
Howe came under pressure after Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season, winning fewer games than expected and suffering 17 defeats in 38 league matches.
His final match in charge was a 4-1 defeat to Bristol City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
Reports suggest Howe was surprised by Newcastle’s transfer activity this summer, although he understood the club’s need to balance its finances through player sales. Earlier this year, he decided to remain despite the possibility of losing key players, but his position reportedly changed as more departures followed.
Several high-profile exits are believed to have contributed to Howe’s decision.
Striker Alexander Isak completed a move to Liverpool, while midfielder Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur. Winger Anthony Gordon also left for Barcelona, and Arsenal are reportedly pursuing Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães.
The departures significantly weakened the squad and raised questions about Newcastle’s ambitions ahead of the new season.
Despite domestic struggles, Newcastle reached the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League before losing 8-3 on aggregate to Barcelona.
Their defence of the Carabao Cup ended in the semi-finals, while the club failed to build on its fifth-place Premier League finish in the 2024-25 season.
The disappointing league campaign increased pressure on both the coaching staff and the club’s leadership.
Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle with an impressive record despite the difficult final season.
He won 84 Premier League matches from 179 games, recording 38 draws and 57 defeats.
His 84 league victories are the most by any manager in Newcastle United’s history, while his 46.9 percent win rate ranks second only to Kevin Keegan among the club’s permanent managers.
Howe also guided Newcastle back into the UEFA Champions League and helped re-establish the club as a regular contender for European qualification after years of inconsistency.
Newcastle have not yet announced Howe’s successor or confirmed who will oversee the team on an interim basis.
With the new Premier League season approaching, attention will now turn to the club’s next managerial appointment and whether Newcastle can rebuild after a summer of major changes.
