Eddie Howe has stepped down as head coach of Newcastle United, ending a near five-year spell at St James' Park. The club announced on Friday that the 48-year-old had resigned with immediate effect, just weeks before the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season, and thanked him for his contribution.
"After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role," Howe said. "After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break. It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United."
Howe's coaches Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone will also leave, along with head of performance Dan Hodges. The club said the process to recruit a new head coach is at an advanced stage, with German coach Matthias Jaissle the favourite to take over.
Howe took charge in November 2021 and steered the Magpies to an 11th-place finish that season after an initial fight against relegation. In 2022-23 he guided Newcastle back into the Champions League, and repeated the feat in 2024-25 while winning the Carabao Cup, their first domestic trophy in 70 years. Last season they reached the Champions League knockout phase for the first time, losing to Barcelona in the last 16, but lost 17 of their 38 league games, finished 12th and failed to secure European football. Howe's final game in charge was a 4-1 pre-season friendly defeat at Bristol City.
Newcastle have already lost two key midfielders this summer, with Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham and Anthony Gordon moving to Barcelona, while captain Bruno Guimaraes has made it clear he wants to join Premier League champions Arsenal. Striker Alexander Isak was sold to Liverpool for a British record £125m after a drawn-out transfer saga that frustrated Howe.
"The club is in fantastic hands with a great leadership team," Howe added. "I have no doubt together, alongside whoever comes in to replace me, they will continue to deliver success on the pitch." Chief executive David Hopkinson said: "Eddie and his staff leave with the deep gratitude and respect of everyone at Newcastle United, and with a lasting place in the club's history." In a farewell message to supporters, Howe said Newcastle would always be a special place to him and that he now plans to take a break.
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