Newcastle set for Eddie Howe exit with Matthias Jaissle in advanced talks to take charge

Newcastle United are preparing to part company with head coach Eddie Howe just weeks before the new Premier League season, with Al Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle in advanced negotiations to replace him.

The Athletic reported on Thursday that Howe has decided to step down in the coming days after almost five years in charge at St James’ Park, despite previously signalling his intention to continue following the end of last season.

The 48-year-old Englishman is understood to have informed the club’s hierarchy that he wants to take a break from football and step away from the game for a period. His departure is described as amicable, and Newcastle’s owners – led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – are said to have already drawn up a plan to manage the transition.

Club officials have moved quickly, with talks with German coach Jaissle, currently in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, now at an advanced stage as Newcastle seek to appoint a successor before the new campaign begins in around three weeks’ time.

Jaissle emerges as leading candidate

Jaissle, 38, has been identified as the leading candidate to take over, with the shared majority ownership of Newcastle and Al Ahli by PIF easing the pathway for discussions between the clubs.

Saudi media had previously reported that Jaissle and Al Ahli had failed to reach an agreement over a contract extension, with disagreements over certain terms in the proposed new deal.

The former defender is regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young coaches. Since joining Al Ahli in 2023, he has led the Jeddah club to back-to-back titles in the AFC Champions League Elite in 2025 and 2026, establishing a high-pressing, attack-minded style of play.

Before moving to Saudi Arabia, Jaissle made his name at Red Bull Salzburg, guiding the Austrian side to consecutive league titles and a domestic cup triumph during a two-season spell in charge.

Howe’s impact – and the slide that followed

Howe was appointed Newcastle head coach in November 2021, succeeding Steve Bruce shortly after PIF’s takeover, at a time when the team sat 19th in the Premier League table and were in serious relegation trouble.

He stabilised the club in his first campaign, steering Newcastle away from the drop, before overseeing a dramatic upturn in fortunes the following year. In 2022-23, Howe led the team to a fourth-place finish and a return to the Champions League, then followed that by securing a top-five finish in one of the subsequent seasons.

Howe also ended the club’s long wait for major silverware. In 2025, Newcastle defeated Liverpool in the final to win the EFL Cup, delivering the club’s first major domestic trophy since 1955 and their first title of any kind in 70 years.

However, last season brought a clear regression. Newcastle slumped to 12th in the Premier League and managed just five wins in their final 17 league matches, intensifying scrutiny over Howe’s position.

In Europe, their Champions League campaign ended in the last 16 with a heavy aggregate defeat by Barcelona, losing 8-3 over the two legs.

Despite the disappointing season, Newcastle’s hierarchy – including representatives from PIF – had initially agreed in post-season meetings to give Howe another opportunity, while acknowledging that the results had fallen well below expectations.

Turbulent summer on and off the pitch

Howe’s likely departure comes during a turbulent summer at St James’ Park, marked by significant transfer activity and uncertainty around key players.

Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69.3m and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £100m. Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is also the subject of intense interest from Arsenal, with reports suggesting the player is keen on a move to the reigning Premier League champions.

Howe’s exit will bring to an end a managerial journey that included two spells at Bournemouth, separated by a short stint at Burnley, before he took over at Newcastle and presided over a transformative period in the club’s modern history.

Formal confirmation of his departure, and any announcement regarding Jaissle’s potential appointment, is expected in the coming days as Newcastle seek stability ahead of the new season.