Newcastle were ‘preparing for months’ for Howe departure
Newcastle were 'preparing for months' for Howe departure. Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson says the club were preparing for former head coach Eddie Howe's departure for up to nine months.
What happened
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Eddie Howe ended Newcastle United's 70-year wait to win a major domestic trophy by lifting the Carabao Cup in 2025ByCiaran KellyNewcastle United reporterPublished8 September 2026, 06:52 BSTUpdated 8 hours agoNewcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson says the club were preparing for former head coach Eddie Howe's departure for up to nine months. Skip to content Ross Wilson: Newcastle chief reveals club prepared for Eddie Howe exit in summer that 'never felt chaotic' Newcastle chief Ross Wilson reveals club were prepared for Eddie Howe's exit; Magpies also lost key players this summer, including captain Bruno Guimaraes; Wilson admits midfielder's Arsenal exit was not "part of plan" – but Wilson insists: "[This summer] never felt chaotic inside" Keith Downie Sky Sports News North East Reporter Tuesday 8 September 2026 08:42, UK Image: Matthias Jaissle (centre) replaced Eddie Howe (right) as Newcastle boss this summer with captain Bruno Guimaraes leaving the club Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson says they were "prepared for a number of months" for Eddie Howe's exit in a summer that "never felt chaotic".
It was a summer of huge change as several key players departed, but Newcastle did not envisage Howe leaving when he did following nearly five years in charge. Newcastle's hierarchy always knew they wanted Howe's eventual successor to build on the foundations he put in place with an aggressive, high-pressing playing style. "Although Newcastle had prepared for the departures of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, the club had never planned to lose talisman Bruno Guimaraes.
Howe's exit was part of a turbulent summer for the Magpies which also included the departures of key players Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon. Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺 Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky Sports News' Keith Downie explains the three things we learned from Newcastle's 2-2 draw against Bournemouth Toon chief Wilson revealed Howe's resignation was not "painful" because of their Jaissle contingency, but Guimaraes' £75m move to Arsenal was not "part of the plan".
The wider picture
Although Howe had originally intended to carry on this season, the drained manager decided to step down in July because he felt it was in the best interests of all parties for him to take a break. However, Wilson is adamant the Englishman's exit was not "chaotic" or "painful" because the club had a contingency plan in place, which led to the appointment of Matthias Jaissle. "Newcastle spoke to multiple candidates, but Wilson said Jaissle emerged as their first-choice to replace a "legend of the club".
The Scot, who was appointed in October, said he had "been planning for a managerial change for eight or nine of those months" in the background. Jaissle also had a history of developing younger players, particularly during his previous spell at Red Bull Salzburg, which aligned with Newcastle's strategy of targeting signings aged 24 and under. Following Wilson's first meeting with Jaissle, who joined from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson told him he sounded "really excited about this one".
"No public season target for JaissleJaissle remains unbeaten in his first four games in charge of Newcastle in all competitions. However, only three of the club's eight summer signings – Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Nico Gonzalez – started in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
What has been reported
Newcastle have forecast a range of financial scenarios, depending on where the club finish this season, but Wilson maintained the German has not been set a specific target for the campaign. Hopkinson, though, reiterated that Newcastle's ultimate ambition is to "consistently and credibly compete" for the top honours in the long run. After entering into a Uefa settlement, following a breach of the European football governing body's financial rules, Hopkinson stressed Newcastle needed to be compliant with the game's regulations to do so.
Newcastle also had to readjust during the window after top targets Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi joined Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively. However, aside from Guimaraes going to Arsenal, Wilson claimed "everything else that happened during the window was part of the plan". "Related topicsFootballPremier LeagueNewcastle UnitedMore on this storyWoltemade move underlines summer of change at NewcastlePublished6 days ago'Mini-Rodri' Gonzalez shown he will be loved at NewcastlePublished26 August Howe's shock resignation in July led to the swift appointment of Matthias Jaissle, who has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his reign.
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What happens next
"It might have caught some people off guard, but the reason we could move so quickly on it was because we had prepared for a number of months. " Leeds United Newcastle United Monday 14th September 6:30pm Kick off 8:00pm Wilson added: "I think we want Newcastle United to be a club with anticipation and excitement. "'Trading an important part of Newcastle plan' Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Jaissle gives his thoughts on new midfielder Nico Gonzalez Wilson believes success for Newcastle rests on them being a trading club going forwards after a summer of fluctuating fortunes in the transfer window.
Newcastle raised nearly £250m in player sales but signed eight players aged 24 or under, with much enthusiasm over the big-money arrivals of Nico Gonzalez and Matias Fernandez-Pardo. " Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player European football expert Julien Laurens explains why Mathias Fernandez-Pardo's arrival made sense for Newcastle The outlook is shaped by Newcastle being fined £5. On Deadline Day, Woltemade, who joined last summer in a £69m deal, moved to Juventus on loan, with Newcastle confirming the £51m signing of Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.
"We always knew where we were going to go," Wilson said.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk, skysports.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.