Newcastle manager Howe steps down, replaced by Al Ahli coach

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has stepped down from his role with immediate effect and is set to be replaced by Al Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle.

The 48-year-old leaves after five years in charge, having guided Newcastle to their first major domestic trophy in 70 years with their League Cup triumph in 2025. He also led the club to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025.

The Premier League's north-east club is yet to make an official announcement, with Howe's decision made following hierarchy discussions over the past 48 hours and sources hinting at his unhappiness over key players being sold without being replaced.

Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer said: "The timing of Eddie's exit is the biggest surprise for me - three weeks into pre-season, and with only three weeks to go until the Premier League starts again.

"I don't know exactly what has gone on behind the scenes for this to happen now but I guess, from his point of view, he was seeing his best players being sold ... he has probably thought it was a tough enough job anyway but it's just getting tougher."

Newcastle sold Sweden striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool last year and have since offloaded Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur and England winger Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer. Captain Bruno Guimaraes is also expected to join Arsenal in the coming weeks.

Howe's exit follows a disappointing campaign in which Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League after suffering 17 defeats in 38 matches. His final game in charge was a 4-1 pre-season loss to Bristol City on Wednesday.

German Jaissle's Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli and Newcastle are both owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.