Once more, Eddie Howe finds himself in the company of two of Tyneside’s beloved figures, albeit under less favorable circumstances. Both Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan departed Newcastle abruptly in late summer, their decisions seemingly ill-timed, pushing the club into a state of transition and distress. At least in contrast to those distinguished predecessors, Howe has stepped down before the season kicked off rather than after a few games.
However, with less than four weeks until the new season begins, following a 4-1 loss in a friendly against Bristol City, it appears the team Howe crafted is unraveling. While Howe’s tenure as Newcastle manager was transformative and commendable, there’s a risk that his five-year stint may be seen as an exception in a narrative otherwise filled with underachievement.
Howe achieved something even Robson and Keegan could not by bringing a trophy to Tyneside: Newcastle’s first since 1969 and their first in English football in seven decades. Reflecting on the day they clinched the Carabao Cup, Howe was modestly asked if he might someday have a statue at St James’ Park. In characteristic fashion, he deflected the question, insisting that such titles as ‘legend’ should be left for others to decide after he’s gone.
Eddie Howe ended Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy…. (Getty)
…but leaves with his squad falling apart (PA)
Now that he has departed, there may be a sense of relief for Howe, as a burden is lifted. His likely successor, Matthias Jaissle, will inherit numerous challenges, many of which Howe did not create but exacerbated over the past year.
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The outcomes speak to a decline: Newcastle lost six of their last nine league matches last season and nine out of 17 overall, even suffering losses to Sunderland. Their Champions League journey—a once promising campaign—concluded disgracefully with a 7-2 defeat to Barcelona.
Howe had molded a team with a clear identity. Yet, despite restoring a sense of pride in Newcastle, this might not have sufficed to maintain the loyalty of key players—both existing ones and those he aspired to recruit. Newcastle, labeled as the richest club globally, failed to leverage this wealth in a manner that aligned with its intended allure.
With Howe’s exit, the likelihood of Bruno Guimaraes moving to Arsenal becomes evident, marking a fourth high-profile exit within a year, following departures of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Sandro Tonali. The total incoming financial returns could amount to approximately £370 million; a testament to Howe’s ability to enhance player performance while simultaneously leaving considerable gaps within the team. He might wish Elliot Anderson was still present to fill the midfield void, but selling the Geordie in 2024 due to PSR enforcement stands out as a significant blunder by the Newcastle hierarchy, paralleling the delayed departure of Isak, who Howe likely preferred to let go the previous summer.
The issue is compounded by the lack of new arrivals—or at least, the right ones—given Newcastle’s £250 million spend last summer. Prior to that, Howe had an impressive record in the transfer market, but only Malick Thiaw from the 2025 group proved successful. The current summer marks a continuation of last year’s troubles; elite players have been turning Newcastle down—Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi this summer, in addition to forwards better suited than Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa last year. In light of Newcastle’s recent decline, it seems likely that Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, and Joao Pedro do not regret their decisions.
Bruno Guimaraes (left) is set to become Newcastle’s fourth high-class departure in under a year, 12 months on from Alexander Isak’s messy exit (PA)
In analyzing Howe’s tenure, the missed opportunity of a £125 million duo in Woltemade and Wissa stands out. Isak, who scored at Wembley against Liverpool to secure their silverware, symbolized the beginning of the end when he expressed his desire to depart.
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Before this turmoil, Howe had built a formidable squad from the remnants he inherited—a club that was winless in November, which managed to reach two finals and qualify for the Champions League twice, demonstrating their quality by defeating top teams.
Howe’s Newcastle thrived at maximum intensity. They faced challenges when balancing commitments in both England and Europe, due in part to injuries. Yet, amidst these struggles, there were remarkable moments, such as the seminal 4-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, with Dan Burn soaring through the air to score. Howe crafted many magical nights at St James’ Park, transforming a southern coach into a hero in the northeast.
Howe brought many a magnificent St James’ Park night to Tyneside (PA)
Now the responsibility lies with the new leadership: Jaissle, who has thrived at Al Ahli, along with the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the owners who have largely remained uncommunicative, and their representatives at St James’ Park, sporting director Ross Wilson and CEO David Hopkinson. Yet, throughout the last year, it often appeared that Howe was the glue holding Newcastle together. His departure leaves the club in a state of disarray.