Eddie Howe has stepped down from his role as the manager of Newcastle United

The 48-year-old has left after nearly five years in charge. He decided to leave following a disappointing season where the team ended up in 12th place in the Premier League. While he was the manager, Newcastle reached some important goals, such as qualifying for the UEFA Champions League two times and winning the Carabao Cup in the 2024-25 season, marking the club’s first major trophy in seventy years.

In his statement about stepping down, Howe said he took time to reflect on his decision and felt it was the right moment for him to leave. The club is now on the hunt for a new head coach, with German coach Matthias Jaissle being mentioned as a potential candidate for the role.

Howe expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “After nearly five years of pouring my life, heart, and soul into the club with great passion, I think it is best for both myself and Newcastle United to step back, recharge, and focus on my health. This decision has been very difficult, but I feel it is the right choice. It has been an incredible honor to be the manager of Newcastle United.”

Eddie Howe and his coaching staff, including Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches, and Simon Weatherstone, are leaving St James’ Park, along with Dan Hodges, who was in charge of performance.

Howe became the head coach in November 2021 and led the team, known as the Magpies, to finish 11th in his first season. In the 2022-23 season, they earned a place in the prestigious Champions League, and they achieved this again in the 2024-25 season, also winning the League Cup.

Last season, Newcastle reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time but were eliminated by Barcelona in the round of 16. Unfortunately, they faced 17 defeats in their 38 Premier League games, which meant they missed out on playing in Europe for the coming season.

Reflecting on his time, Howe shared, “There have been countless amazing moments during our time here. From fighting to avoid relegation in our first season to those unforgettable nights in the Champions League at St James’ Park. The progress was swift.”

He added, “Everyone came together, and we became a strong team. These are memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Howe’s last game as coach was a pre-season friendly against Bristol City, where they lost 4-1.

This summer, the team has lost two important midfielders: Sandro Tonali moved to Tottenham, and Anthony Gordon went to Barcelona. Arsenal is also interested in their captain, Bruno Guimaraes, who has shown a desire to join the Premier League champions.

Last summer, Newcastle spent around £240 million on new players, but Howe was disappointed when a protracted transfer saga saw Alexander Isak move to Liverpool for a British record fee of £125 million.

Despite the challenges, Howe remains optimistic about Newcastle’s future. He said, “The club is in great hands with strong leadership. I am confident that, together with whoever replaces me, they will continue to find success on the

David Hopkinson, the CEO of Newcastle, shared his thoughts on Eddie and his team leaving the club: “Eddie and his team will always be remembered fondly here at Newcastle United, as they have made a lasting impact on our history.

“While we are sad to see Eddie go, we are extremely thankful for everything he has done for the club.”

Eddie Howe