Eddie Howe showed his class in final act as Newcastle manager before walking away over transfer window nightmare

EDDIE HOWE told Newcastle he wanted to leave two weeks ago – but vowed to stay on until they found his replacement. The Toon boss has left by mutual consent after the club moved for German Matthias Jaissle from Saudi side Al Alhi. Eddie Howe wanted to leave Newcastle weeks ago but vowed to stay until his replacement arrived Credit: PA Howe has been cleared to leave after Newcastle agreed a deal with Al-Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle Credit: Getty And Howe only found out this morning that he was allowed to leave after the Magpies agreed a deal with Jaissle. Howe held talks with Newcastle chiefs at the end of the season where he told them he was happy to continue with the aim of winning the Premier League title by 2030. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! But he changed his mind after a frustrating summer in the transfer market which has seen top stars depart. Anthony Gordon was sold to Barcelona for £70million and Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham in a £100m deal – with captain Bruno Guimaraes expected to follow them out by joining Arsenal. Howe was told the club wanted to focus on signing younger players – despite missing out on deals for winger Victor Munoz and midfielder Johan Manzambi, who joined Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively. The Toon boss believed the 2030 title target was unrealistic with the transfer policy but didn’t want to leave them in the lurch. His exit was finally sealed once they had decided Jaissle – who spent time at the Red Bull clubs famed for signing young stars like Erling Haaland – was the right man to replace him. Howe, 48, intends to take a break from football although he won’t be short of offers – and he will be a long-term contender to replace Thomas Tuchel as England boss in the future. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK EDDIE HOWE'S RECORD AT NEWCASTLE EDDIE HOWE will forever be a Newcastle legend after leading the Toon to their first trophy in 70 years. But that Carabao Cup win, and two Champions League qualifications, weren’t enough to keep everyone happy on Tyneside. Here is Howe’s Newcastle record: Premier League 2021-22 – 11th (19th when he took over) 2022-23 – 4th 2023-24 – 7th 2024-25 – 5th 2025-26 – 12th Trophies won Carabao Cup 2024-25 Howe has seen his biggest stars sold in the previous seasons Newcastle – led by Yasir Al-Rumayyan – agreed for Howe to continue despite a poor season Credit: Getty The 48-year-old joined Newcastle in 2021 and led them to the Champions League and the Carabao Cup last year – their first trophy in 70 years. Howe has had to work under tight financial rules in the Prem and Europe – despite Newcastle being the richest club in the world. Last season striker Alexander Isak was sold to Liverpool in a £125m deal, while Elliot Anderson was sold to Nottingham Forest for £35m the year before to help juggle the books. Anderson, now a starter for England, joined Manchester City for £116m earlier this month. Toon legend Alan Shearer said: “Thank you to Eddie for what he’s given us. “He gave me my best day as a Newcastle fan with that day at Wembley. “He’s given us some incredible nights in the Champions League that we’ll never ever forget. “It’s been an incredible ride. Whatever happens now, the Geordies will always be grateful for what he gave us that day. “He won’t be short of offers.” Comment now