Why did Eddie Howe leave Newcastle? Key reason revealed as exit confirmed | OneFootball

Former Bournemouth boss was in charge for nearly five years

Newcastle have confirmed that Eddie Howe has left the club after resigning from his position as the club’s head coach.

The 48-year-old had been in charge on Tyneside for almost five years, and had led the Magpies to Champions League qualification on more than one occasion, as well as delivering them a first piece of major domestic silverware since 1955.

The Toon won the League Cup after beating Liverpool 2-1 in the final in March 2025.

The former Bournemouth manager oversaw two Champions League finishes, with the Magpies back in Europe’s top competition for the first time since 2003.

Now, however, he has stepped down from his position after a whirlwind summer transfer window that has seen Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali both sold to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively, while Arsenal are in active pursuit of captain Bruno Guimaraes. It had been previously reported that Howe was left exasperated at the fact that Newcastle had allowed two star players to depart.

“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.

Newcastle were pipped by Liverpool to the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna, while Johan Matzambi, the Swiss World Cup star, looked set to move to the north-east before a change of heart saw him sign for Aston Villa.

Last summer, the Magpies lost Alexander Isak to Liverpool in a British transfer record move, but their attempts at replacing him brought frustration, with unsuccessful pursuits of Hugo Ekitike, who also ended up at Anfield, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko, who both joined Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

The club spent heavily on the likes of Anthony Elanga and Nick Woltemade, while Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw also arrived to great expense.

Big sale: Sandro Tonali

PA

This year, they have reinvested the proceeds from Tonali’s sale into Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim, Monaco’s Aladji Bamba, 18-year-old Sean Steur from Ajax, and 20-year old goalkeeper Ewen Jaoeun from Reims.

Howe’s frustration at Newcastle’s transfer business seemed to be on show when he was asked about Guimaraes’ future after a pre-season defeat by Bristol City earlier this week.

“We’ve spoken numerous times,” he said at Ashton Gate.

“Assurances, I don’t think you can push too hard for those.

“I’ve said many times you want players who are committed. Bruno has always been committed here. His training performances, game performances have been outstanding.

“We’re not in control of that. And to some degree, I don’t think Bruno’s in control of that either.

“What will be, will be. We can’t control the forces that are at play here, we’ve just got to make sure that when Bruno comes back, we look after him and he trains well, which I’m sure he will do.”