It has been a summer of change for [Newcastle United](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/08/24/here-we-go-fabrizio-romano-christopher-nkunku-news-newcastle-united-talks/). They have seen three of their best players leave in this window in the form of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon.
On top of that Eddie Howe departed as well, almost unexpectedly in the middle of pre-season. Alongside him departed Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Simon Weatherstone and Stephen Purches.
Howe was replaced by Matthias Jaissle, who should be pretty happy with how his first Premier League game went, as Newcastle United got themselves a 2-2 draw against Liverpool. For a team that had looked completely out of sorts in pre-season, that has to be taken as a major positive.
Amid all this, another part of Howe’s backroom team has departed the club. According to [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-coach-quits-join-34504042), goalkeeper coach Daniel Garcia has left to join Aston Villa. He wrote:
> “I’ve joined Aston Villa as Goalkeeping Assistant Coach. Today the season starts. Proud to be part of it. Up the Villa.”
Obviously, this has been a period of change for Newcastle United. So, it is always good to have a few familiar faces around. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case with Garcia who has headed to Aston Villa.
Interestingly, this has come at a time when there have been changes between the posts at Newcastle United. Nick Pope, the club’s long-term number one, is not longer being counted on.
Instead, Newcastle United have signed two goalkeepers in this summer transfer window. They have brought in Lukas Hornicek, who is being viewed as the new first choice between the posts.
They have also signed Ewen Jaouen. But coming in from the French second division, he is seen as someone who will develop as the cover option for the foreseeable future.
Newcastle United will be hoping to exceed some expectations this season, that is for sure. Coming into the campaign, there were a lot of fans that viewed them as potential title contenders.
In many ways, it makes sense as well. This is a team that had finished 12th in the Premier League last season. And they have only gotten weaker since then.
They have lost their best players and their manager. The replacements who have been brought in have little to no experience at the highest level.
The opening day performance and result have raised hopes though. At least the team show that they can still compete with the best on their day.