Newcastle United confirm Eddie Howe departure after nearly five years

Newcastle United have confirmed that Eddie Howe is leaving his position as head coach after almost five years in charge, with the club saying it has accepted his decision and thanking him for his “exceptional contributions”.

Howe’s assistant coaching staff will also depart, including Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone. Dan Hodges, the club’s head of performance, is leaving as well.

Howe said in a statement published on Newcastle’s official website: “After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that the time is right to step down from my role as head coach of Newcastle United.”

He added: “After almost five years in which I have given my life, heart and soul to this club with all my energy, I feel it is in the best interests of the club, and in my own interests, to step down and take a period of rest to restore my energy.”

The 48-year-old continued: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, but deep down I know it is the right one. Throughout my time here, I have always put the interests of Newcastle above any personal consideration, and this decision is no exception.”

Howe said managing the club had been “the honour of a lifetime” and described the importance of Newcastle, the city and its supporters to him and his family.

“Managing Newcastle United has been the honour of a lifetime, and it is difficult to put into words what this club, this city and its supporters have meant to me and my family,” he said.

“Since I, Jason and the rest of the coaching staff arrived almost five years ago, we have felt that Newcastle has become our home, and we were welcomed by everyone with great warmth.”

Howe ended his message by expressing confidence in the club’s future.

“I am extremely optimistic about the future of Newcastle. The club is in excellent hands, and I have no doubt that the board and the next head coach will continue to achieve success,” he said.

Howe’s Newcastle achievements

Newcastle appointed Howe in November 2021, at what the club described as a pivotal stage in its history. The club said he had played a central role in changing its direction.

During his time in charge, Newcastle won their first major domestic trophy in 70 years by lifting the League Cup. Howe also guided the team to qualification for the Champions League twice and took them into the competition’s knockout stages for the first time in the club’s history.

Newcastle said Howe’s passion, commitment and strong relationship with the city and supporters had helped establish firm foundations for the team’s future.

He leaves with a record of 116 wins, 43 draws and 72 defeats from 231 matches as Newcastle head coach. His only trophy with the club was the League Cup.

The club said the process of appointing a new head coach had reached an advanced stage and that further updates would be announced soon.