Why is Eddie Howe leaving Newcastle three weeks before the Premier League season starts?
The Newcastle boss stepped down just weeks before the new campaign after nearly five years at St James’ Park, leaving questions over the timing of his exit.
In one of the strangest managerial moves of the summer, Newcastle United have confirmed Eddie Howe has resigned from his position as head coach, 24 hours after reports first emerged that he would be leaving the club.
Howe’s departure comes just three weeks before the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season and only one day before the first-team squad was due to travel to Spain for a preseason training camp.
“Best interests” of Howe and Newcastle
“After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United,” Howe said in a statement.
“After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break.
“Although it’s been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it’s the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I’ve been here and this one is no different.”
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle exit comes at a surprising time
After finishing fourth, seventh and fifth in his first three full seasons in charge, while also winning the League Cup in 2025, Howe oversaw a disappointing final campaign as the Magpies finished 12th in the Premier League.
Some had tipped Howe to leave Newcastle at the end of last season, although he had appeared set to remain in his role. The timing of his departure has left plenty scratching their heads.
According to journalist Keith Downey of UK broadcaster Sky Sports News, Howe had fully committed to staying in charge at the end of last season but recently changed his mind.
Many have speculated that the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, and a potential move away for Bruno Guimarães, played a part in his decision.
Who will replace Eddie Howe as Newcastle coach?
Downey reports that Howe’s departure has now been made public because Newcastle had time to line up Matthias Jaissle, the German head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, as his replacement.
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