Eddie Howe has quit his position at Newcastle after five years, with Liverpool’s first opponents of the Premier League campaign now set for a new manager.
Howe has informed Newcastle of his decision to leave the club as he seeks a break from football, according to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.
The news comes after a 4-1 friendly defeat to Bristol City on Wednesday night and a series of failures in the transfer market, including losing out on Liverpool signing Victor Munoz.
Newcastle have already sold key players Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer while captain Bruno Guimaraes is pushing for a move to Arsenal.
Despite the arrival of Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen – all players aged 20 or under – it is set up as a difficult job for Howe’s successor next season.
Matthias Jaissle to replace Eddie Howe at Newcastle
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - Wednesday, July 27, 2022: RB Salzburg's head coach Matthias Jaissle reacts during a pre-season friendly between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool FC at the Red Bull Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That man is expected to be Matthias Jaissle, who is in advanced talks over a switch from Saudi side Al Ahli and was briefly touted as a possible candidate for Liverpool earlier this year.
Jaissle will be tasked with preparing for the visit of Liverpool in his first competitive game in charge, with the start of the Premier League season just over three weeks away.
Liverpool, themselves under new management in Andoni Iraola, head to St James’ Park for a 4.30pm kickoff on Sunday, August 23.
German coach Jaissle was previously involved in the Red Bull setup, with roles in charge of FC Liefering and Salzburg, but the majority of his work at senior level has been with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Howe was the second-longest serving manager in the Premier League prior to his departure from Newcastle, behind only Mikel Arteta.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 19, 2023: Newcastle United's manager Eddie Howe applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Newcastle United FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. Man City won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It means Unai Emery’s reign at Aston Villa is now the second-longest, and though Daniel Farke and Regis Le Bris have held their roles longer at Leeds and Sunderland, Brighton‘s Fabian Hurzeler has the third-longest continuous run in the Premier League.
Liverpool have won 20 of their 24 meetings with Howe’s sides, with the 48-year-old only winning two – once at Bournemouth and in the Carabao Cup final with Newcastle.
He was among the candidates considered to replace Jurgen Klopp in 2024, holding a strong relationship with both Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
It is unclear whether Liverpool made contact with Howe after sacking Arne Slot this summer, though at the time he had stressed he would be continuing at Newcastle.