Eddie Howe reportedly set to leave Newcastle as Matthias Jaissle emerges as leading successor

Eddie Howe is reportedly preparing to step down as Newcastle United manager after nearly five years at the helm, with Al Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle emerging as the leading candidate to succeed him.

Howe took charge of Newcastle in November 2021, inheriting a side battling relegation in the Premier League. Under his leadership, the Magpies completed a remarkable transformation, evolving into regular contenders for European qualification.

During his spell at St James’ Park, Howe guided Newcastle to two UEFA Champions League campaigns and ended the club’s 56-year wait for major silverware by winning the EFL Cup in 2025.

However, the club endured a disappointing follow-up campaign. Newcastle struggled to produce consistent results in the Premier League, suffered early exits in both domestic cup competitions, and were eliminated from the Champions League after an 8-3 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.

Despite initially planning to continue with Howe for the 2026/27 season, reports suggest the 48-year-old has now decided to leave the club following a challenging pre-season and a turbulent summer transfer window.

Newcastle’s preparations for the new campaign suffered another setback on Wednesday as they were beaten 4-1 by Bristol City in a pre-season friendly.

The Magpies have also undergone significant changes in the transfer market, shifting their recruitment strategy toward promising young European talent after the departures of influential first-team players Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.

Adding to the uncertainty, club captain Bruno Guimarães continues to be linked with a potential move to Arsenal, with speculation surrounding his future showing little sign of slowing down.

According to the reports, Howe’s departure is his own decision, with the former AFC Bournemouth manager believed to be planning a break from football before considering his next coaching opportunity.

Should Howe officially leave Newcastle, Matthias Jaissle is expected to be the frontrunner to take over, with the German coach having impressed during his time in charge of Al Ahli.