Newcastle United: Preparing for Eddie Howe’s Departure
BBC Homepage
Skip to content
Accessibility Help
Your account
Home
News
Sport
Earth
Reel
Worklife
Travel
Culture
Future
Music
TV
Weather
Sounds
More menu
BBC Sport
Menu
Home
Football
Cricket
Formula 1
Rugby U
Tennis
Golf
Cycling
Athletics
More
A-Z Sports
American Football
Athletics
Basketball
Boxing
Cricket
Cycling
Darts
Disability Sport
Football
Formula 1
Gaelic Games
Golf
Gymnastics
Horse Racing
Mixed Martial Arts
Motorsport
Netball
Rugby League
Rugby Union
Snooker
Swimming
Tennis
Full Sports A-Z
More from Sport
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Quizzes
News Feeds
Help & FAQs
Newcastle United
Scores & Fixtures
Table
Live Match Updates
Transfers
Who Am I? Quiz
Ask Me Anything
Newcastle were ‘preparing for months’ for Howe departure
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Eddie Howe ended Newcastle United’s 70-year wait to win a major domestic trophy by lifting the Carabao Cup in 2025
By Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter
Published 15 minutes ago
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson says the club were preparing for former head coach Eddie Howe’s departure for up to nine months.
Although Howe had originally intended to carry on this season, the drained manager decided to step down in July because he felt it was in the best interests of all parties for him to take a break.
It was a summer of huge change, as several key players departed, but Newcastle did not envisage Howe leaving when he did following nearly five years in charge.
However, Wilson is adamant the Englishman’s exit was not "chaotic" or "painful" because the club had a contingency plan in place, which led to the appointment of Matthias Jaissle.
"We always knew where we were going to go," Wilson said. "That doesn’t mean we were always going to Matthias, but he was always part of our planning."
Part of our responsibility as leaders of the club is to be prepared and Eddie is an exceptionally talented coach.
… (continued)
Newcastle spoke to multiple candidates, but Wilson said Jaissle emerged as their first-choice to replace a "legend of the club".
The Scot, who was appointed in October, said he had "been planning for a managerial change for eight or nine of those months" in the background.
Newcastle’s hierarchy always knew they wanted Howe’s eventual successor to build on the foundations he put in place with an aggressive, high-pressing playing style.
Jaissle also had a history of developing younger players, particularly during his previous spell at Red Bull Salzburg, which aligned with Newcastle’s strategy of targeting signings aged 24 and under.
… (continued)
