Eddie Howe has resigned as Newcastle United manager and is set to be replaced by Al Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle.
Howe informed the club at the end of last season that he intended to remain in charge but has since had a change of heart and now wants a break from football, according to The Athletic.
The shock development, which comes just three weeks before the start of the new season, ends a turbulent final year in charge for the Englishman.
Howe took over at St James’ Park shortly after the takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and initially enjoyed significant success, saving the club from relegation, qualifying for the Champions League and then taking them to a first trophy in 70 years with success in the Carabao Cup in 2025.
However, the messy departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer followed by a disappointing 12th-placed finish heaped pressure on the 48-year-old.
On the back of that the Magpies have had a difficult summer with stars Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali departing, while speculation continues over the future of captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Howe was in charge for a 4-1 pre-season friendly defeat at Bristol City on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Big questions for Newcastle hierarchy
By Mark Douglas, northern football correspondent
I think this is the right decision, on balance, but the timing is hugely problematic. It’s a lot for a new manager with no experience of English football to cope with as Newcastle change direction completely.
There are big questions for the ownership and hierarchy too about whether this should have been done sooner. Howe looked very downbeat at the pre-season friendly against Gateshead on Saturday.
He’s been a brilliant manager for Newcastle but this new project – young, inexperienced players – didn’t feel the right fit for me. Still, a lot for successor to live up to.
Who is Matthias Jaissle?
Newcastle are reportedly in advanced talks with Jaissle, a relatively unknown 38-year-old who has been in charge of the PIF-owned Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League since 2023.
The German enjoyed a limited professional playing career as a centre-back at Stuttgart and Hoffenheim.
He turned to coaching in Austria with second-tier Liefering before joining sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2021 where he won two league titles and enjoyed successful runs in Europe.
Appointed as Al Ahli head coach in 2023, Jaissle led the club to back-to-back AFC Champions League titles.
Additional reporting by Press Association
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