Eddie Howe has left his role as Newcastle United head coach after almost five years in charge, bringing an end to one of the most successful periods in the club’s recent history.
The 48-year-old departs St James’ Park having transformed Newcastle from relegation candidates into regular challengers for European football.
During his time at the club, Howe guided the Magpies back into the UEFA Champions League and ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the Carabao Cup.
His departure comes in the middle of Newcastle’s pre-season fixtures and follows growing uncertainty over the club’s immediate future.
The club is now expected to begin the search for a new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Howe’s final comments focused on Guimaraes
Before leaving the club, Howe was asked about the future of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Tyneside.
Speaking after reports said the Brazilian wanted to join Arsenal, Howe made it clear that Newcastle’s intention remained to keep one of their key players.
“Assurances – I don’t think you can push too hard for those. I think I’ve said many times you want players that are committed.
“Bruno’s always been committed here. His training performances, his game performances, have been outstanding. Every time he’s worn the shirt, he’s played with the fans by his side. I’d love to see that continue.
“I think we want to keep all of our best players. They’re so valuable, and as I said numerous times, there aren’t many of them, and to get them and develop them is so difficult.
“So when you have them, you want to keep them. And Bruno’s very much in that category; he’s an outstanding player.”
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Howe also admitted the ongoing speculation surrounding the midfielder was far from ideal.
“Any distraction, if it’s not healthy, is unhealthy. So, yeah.
“But 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. And he makes a difference as he always has done.”
End of a successful era
Howe leaves Newcastle having overseen one of the club’s most significant rebuilds in the Premier League era.
While questions remain over the future of several key players, the club must now appoint a successor capable of building on the strong foundations he leaves behind.
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