Eddie Howe has left his role as Newcastle United manager after five years in charge, with 38-year-old German coach Matthias Jaissle lined up as his replacement.
The 48-year-old informed the club hierarchy earlier this month that he believed the time was right to part ways. There was no falling out, and Howe agreed to stay on until a successor was found. He will now take a break from football.
Jaissle, currently in charge of Saudi club Al Ahli, is set to join the Newcastle squad when they travel to La Manga for a pre-season training camp this weekend. His contract was with lawyers on Wednesday night and, barring any late hitches, he will become the second managerial appointment of the club's Saudi-led ownership. He previously managed Red Bull Salzburg between 2021 and 2023 and won the Asian Champions League with Al Ahli in both 2025 and 2026.
Howe's departure comes during a turbulent summer at St James' Park. Striker Alexander Isak was sold last September, and this window has seen Anthony Gordon leave for Barcelona and Sandro Tonali join Tottenham. Captain Bruno Guimaraes wants to join Arsenal, and Joelinton has expressed a desire to move to Saudi Arabia, though no offer has arrived.
Newcastle have signed four players this window, all aged 20 or under. The prospect of a difficult season ahead, combined with diminishing supporter patience, is thought to have been a factor in Howe's decision.
Howe arrived at Newcastle in November 2021 with the team 19th in the Premier League. He led them to survival before guiding the club into the Champions League and to a Carabao Cup final. In 2025 he became the first manager in 70 years to win a domestic trophy for the Magpies, beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. They also qualified for the Champions League a second time that season.
Last season proved harder. Newcastle finished 12th in the league, despite reaching the last 16 of the Champions League and the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. Pre-season results have been similarly difficult, with a 1-1 draw against non-league Gateshead followed by a 4-1 defeat to Championship side Bristol City.
