Why Eddie Howe’s Newcastle exit always felt inevitable

Just a few years ago, Newcastle United were hailed as the world’s richest football club following their takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Ambitious predictions of a Premier League title challenge within five years seemed realistic as optimism swept through St James’ Park.

Fast forward to today, and the picture could hardly be more different.

After selling several of their biggest stars over the past 12 months, Newcastle have gone from one of English football’s fastest-rising clubs to one facing serious questions about its long-term direction. With Financial Fair Play (FFP) and Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) restricting spending, the club’s rapid rise has been followed by an equally dramatic decline.

For Eddie Howe, it became increasingly clear that the project he had helped build was slowly being dismantled.

From Dream Appointment to Historic Success

Howe deserves enormous credit for transforming Newcastle’s fortunes after taking charge in 2021.

Not only did he guide the Magpies back into the UEFA Champions League, but he also delivered one of the greatest moments in the club’s modern history by ending a 70-year wait for major domestic silverware with victory over Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

The success cemented Howe’s status among Newcastle’s most popular managers.

However, behind the celebrations, warning signs were beginning to emerge.

Alexander Isak’s Departure Changed Everything

The first major blow came when star striker Alexander Isak pushed for a move to Liverpool.

Despite Howe’s importance to the club, there appeared to be little he could do to prevent Newcastle’s leading goalscorer from leaving. Equally concerning was the lack of communication from the board, leaving supporters and the manager with more questions than answers.

It was the first indication that the club’s ambitions were changing.

Summer Fire Sale Deepens the Crisis

Following a disappointing 2025/26 Premier League campaign that ended with a 12th-place finish and no European qualification, significant changes were expected.

Few, however, anticipated the scale of Newcastle’s player departures.

Club captain Kieran Trippier had already confirmed he would leave before winger Anthony Gordon completed a high-profile move to Barcelona.

If that transfer shocked supporters, the sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur proved even more difficult to accept.

The move raised eyebrows across English football, with Spurs having narrowly avoided relegation only a season earlier. For many fans, it symbolised a club no longer capable of keeping hold of its biggest talents.

Bruno Guimaraes Was the Final Straw

Reports that captain Bruno Guimaraes was also seeking a move to Arsenal only intensified concerns surrounding Newcastle’s future.

With the board reportedly willing to sanction yet another marquee departure, it appears Howe finally concluded that the project he had signed up for no longer existed.

According to reports, the Newcastle manager submitted his resignation in mid-July, although the announcement was delayed while the club searched for his successor.

Matthias Jaissle Faces an Enormous Challenge

Newcastle have now turned to Matthias Jaissle, who arrives after spells with Al-Ahli, Red Bull Salzburg, and FC Liefering.

Although the German coach enjoyed domestic success in Austria and Saudi Arabia, the Premier League represents an entirely different challenge.

Replacing one of Newcastle’s most successful modern managers while inheriting a squad weakened by the departures of several key players makes Jaissle’s task one of the toughest in English football.

Supporters may be willing to give him time, but expectations remain high despite the uncertainty surrounding the club.

Questions Only PIF Can Answer

Perhaps the biggest frustration among supporters has been the silence from PIF and Newcastle’s senior leadership.

During the early years of the takeover, club executives spoke confidently about long-term ambitions, investment and competing for major honours. More recently, however, communication has been noticeably limited as Newcastle’s squad has been broken apart.

The club is far from returning to the difficult days under former owner Mike Ashley, but it is equally difficult to argue that they are any closer to lifting a first Premier League title than they were when the takeover was completed.

For supporters, patience is beginning to wear thin.

For Howe, the decision to walk away may simply have reflected the reality that the vision he bought into no longer matched the one being delivered.

Now, the spotlight turns firmly to PIF. Their next decisions will shape not only Newcastle’s immediate future but also determine whether the ambitious promises made after the takeover can still become reality.