FORMER Celtic managerial candidate Eddie Howe has quit Newcastle United – just 25 days before their Premier League opener against Liverpool.
The Englishman came close to joining up at Parkhead in May 2021 as permanent successor to Neil Lennon.
Talks took place between Howe and the Hoops hierachy before the ex-Bournemouth gaffer was given a deadline by the Hoops to make up his mind.
However, after lengthy discussions, Howe failed to respond in time and Celtic, who had completed the previous season with John Kennedy in charge following the dismissal of Lennon in February, decided to look elsewhere.
Ange Postecoglou came on the radar and was appointed boss on June 10, just 13 days after the Hoops dropped interest in Howe.
The former Australia World Cup Head Coach became a favourite with the support and led the team to five trophies – including back-to-back titles – in his two years at the club before being lured to Spurs.
German-born Matthias Jaissle, of Al Ahli, is the favourite to replace Howe and the Tyneside outfit are hopeful of putting him in charge within 24 hours, according to Sky Sports News.
Kieran McKenna, who has been linked with Celtic in the past and who left Ipswich Town at the end of the season, and Antonio Conte were other names on the shortlist before Newcastle decided on Jaissle.
Six months after missing out on the job in Glasgow, Howe replaced Steve Bruce at St James’s Park.
Now he is heading for the exit amid reports he had reportedly grown frustrated after the sales of Sandro Tonali (Spurs) and Anthony Gordon (Barcelona) while captain Bruno Guimaraes is wanted by Arsenal.
The club also sold striker Alexander Isak for a British record £125million to Liverpool last summer.
Howe led Newcastle to their first major trophy in 56 years in March last year when they beat the Anfield club 2-1 in the Carabao Cup Final.
His final game in charge was a dismal 4-1 loss to Championship side Bristol City last night.
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