In a surprise development just weeks before the start of the new Premier League season, Eddie Howe has stepped down as manager of Newcastle United. The club is now in advanced negotiations to appoint German manager Matthias Jaissle, currently in charge of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, as his successor.
Howe’s departure was the result of a personal decision rather than a dismissal. Following a comprehensive end-of-season review, both parties had initially agreed to continue their partnership.
According to The Athletic, Howe informed club executives of his desire to take a break from coaching. However, he agreed to remain in his position privately for several weeks to allow Newcastle time to identify a successor—keeping the news out of the public domain until negotiations for his replacement reached an advanced stage.
While the split remains entirely amicable, the timing of the announcement has raised questions following a challenging campaign in which Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League with 49 points—their lowest league finish since the 2020–2021 season.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle Legacy: Trophies and Champions League Returns
Howe took charge of Newcastle in November 2021, inheriting a side sitting 19th in the table without a single win through their opening 11 matches. He steered the club away from relegation to finish 11th, laying the groundwork for a historic transformation:
-
2022–2023: Guided Newcastle to a 4th-place finish, securing UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time since 2002–2003, alongside a League Cup final appearance.
-
2023–2024: Finished 7th in the Premier League.
-
2024–2025: Led Newcastle back into the Champions League via a 5th-place finish and delivered the marquee achievement of his tenure—winning the 2025 League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool. The triumph ended Newcastle’s 70-year domestic trophy drought and secured their first major silverware since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
Over nearly 230 matches in charge across all competitions, Howe secured two Champions League qualifications and led the Magpies to two League Cup finals, re-establishing Newcastle as a competitive force in English and European football.
Matthias Jaissle Chosen as Successor
Newcastle executives have targeted Matthias Jaissle as Howe’s replacement and are in advanced talks with the 38-year-old German tactician, who remains under contract with Al-Ahli through 2027 with an option for an additional year.
Jaissle developed his managerial philosophy within the Red Bull system, working in youth development at RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg before leading FC Liefering and eventually taking over Salzburg’s senior team in 2021.
During his time at Salzburg, Jaissle won two Austrian Bundesliga titles and one Austrian Cup, while guiding the team to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in club history.
He subsequently moved to Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023, where he built a formidable record:
-
Back-to-Back Asian Titles: Won the AFC Champions League Elite in both 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, becoming the first manager to retain the title under the tournament’s modern format.
-
Domestic Success: Won the Saudi Super Cup and led Al-Ahli to a 3rd-place finish last season with 81 points.
Known for his high-pressing, rapid transition, and intense attacking style formed during his Red Bull background, Jaissle now faces the biggest test of his managerial career as he prepares to step into the Premier League and lead a rebuilding phase at St James’ Park.
