Eddie Howe to leave Newcastle as deal agreed for Saudi Pro League manager to replace him

Eddie Howe is set to leave his role as Newcastle manager, talkSPORT understands.

The Magpies have already agreed to appoint Matthias Jaissle, who currently manages Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, as his replacement.

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It is understood that Howe informed the club he wanted to leave his role several weeks ago.

But he stayed on until the replacement was found, with Jaissle set to come straight in to take his place in the dugout.

Jaissle, who won back-to-back Asian Champions League titles with Al Ahli, has a release clause in his contract.

Meanwhile, Howe is now expected to take a break from football, as he has no plans for an immediate return to management.

However, he has been tipped to potentially replace Thomas Tuchel as England manager should the FA opt to make a change.

Shock departure

Howe has been Newcastle boss since 2021, but his shock departure comes just weeks before the new Premier League season.

Newcastle finished 12th in the top flight last campaign under Howe, which led to concerns over his future.

His exit, midway through the club’s pre-season schedule, comes after the sale of star players Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.

Meanwhile, club captain Bruno Guimaraes is linked with a summer move to Arsenal.

And it is understood that Howe’s frustration over the summer exits of his star players was a big factor in his decision to leave.

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Howe leaves the club just over a year since he ended their 70-year-long wait for a domestic trophy.

He led the Toon to historic success in the Carabao Cup in 2025 and into the Champions League twice in recent seasons.

Across his 231 games in charge in all competitions, he won 116 of them, drawing 43 and losing 72.

His final match in charge was a 4-1 friendly loss to Bristol City on Wednesday evening.

Newcastle have another four friendlies to come before the new Premier League campaign, but they will potentially have Jaissle in charge for those remaining clashes.

Their top flight opener comes against Liverpool on Sunday, August 23 at 4:30pm, live on talkSPORT.

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A telling conversation

Former Newcastle manager and England 1966 World Cup winner Jack Charlton’s son, John, has revealed that he felt he knew Howe was going to leave after speaking to him recently.

“I spoke to Eddie in a local shop near where I live and we were having a conversation,” he told talkSPORT Breakfast.

“We were maybe there for half an hour talking about Newcastle…I said to him: ‘I suppose there’s only one thing you can do, it’s either yes I stay, or no I don’t’.

“He said: ‘Yeah, you’re quite correct, that’s the decision that needs to be made.’

“The conversation went on, talking about my dad, and when I left, I went to a friend of mine’s house and the first thing I said to him was: ‘Eddie Howe’s going to leave’.

“Just by his demeanour and what he said, he didn’t say he was leaving, but just by his body language and the way he was talking, he was very non-committal.”

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Newcastle fans react

Reacting to the news on talkSPORT on Thursday morning, Newcastle supporter Rich said: “My initial reaction was shock.

“I think he’s great with young players and I was thinking with him still in charge and young players coming in, but I felt confident we would have a good season.

“Now he’s left, it just seems a bit odd…very odd timing, I can’t quite work out why he’s left just when the World Cup players are coming back.”

He added: “It’s very bizarre. Last season wasn’t the best and at the end of last season, everyone could have parted ways mutually after five years that have been full of highs and lows, leaving with your head held high and being the best Newcastle manager in 60 years.

“And then to leave now leaves a little bit of a sour taste in your mouth, he could have gone before pre-season started and the model got put into play.”

Meanwhile, Magpies fan Andrew said: “I’m devastated. Absolutely devastated. If it was down to me, Howe would have been manager for the next 10 years.

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“I think he’s been let down by the owners, board, you’ve only got to look at how the club’s being ran, how many Directors of Football, different people coming in above him.

“I respect him for walking. We missed out on targets, we’re signing young kids, losing our best players and apparently these owners are the richest people in the world.

“It’s an absolute joke.”