Manager Howe to leave Newcastle with immediate effect

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is expected to depart the club immediately, according to sources close to BBC Sport. Howe's tenure has been under scrutiny following a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Premier League last season, marked by 17 defeats in 38 matches. His final game in charge was reportedly a 4-1 loss to Bristol City in a pre-season friendly. Well-placed sources suggest Howe expressed surprise regarding the club's transfer activities this summer, despite understanding the necessity of player sales. While Howe had committed to staying earlier in the year, his stance reportedly shifted over the summer period. Newcastle invested approximately £240 million in new players just last year. Howe has seen key players depart this summer, including Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, with Arsenal reportedly pursuing captain Bruno Guimaraes. Howe took over from Steve Bruce in November 2021 and led Newcastle to end a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the 2025 Carabao Cup. He also guided the Magpies to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025. Last season, the team reached the Champions League last-16 but had an underwhelming league performance after finishing fifth in the 2024-25 season.