Eddie Howe has stepped down as Newcastle United head coach after discussions with the club’s board, although Howe had begun the process of potentially resigning weeks earlier.
Al Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle is the frontrunner to replace Howe, with Sky Sports reporting that talks with the 38-year-old German coach are in the final stages.
Newcastle are already going through a difficult period after selling Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, and the uncertainty surrounding captain Bruno Guimarães has added to the club’s woes, with Arsenal eyeing a move for the Brazilian star.
These player sales are said to have been a major catalyst for Howe’s departure. Newcastle sold striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer for a British transfer record fee of £125 million.
Howe has been reflecting on his time at Newcastle over the past few months and believes that if Newcastle can build a strong squad this summer, he could take the club further this season.
Howe will be regarded as one of Newcastle’s greatest-ever managers. He helped the club end their 70-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup, while also leading the side to two top-five Premier League finishes and into the Champions League.
