Shearer stunned by Howe's departure from Newcastle

Alan Shearer reacted with surprise to the announcement of Eddie Howe's resignation as manager of Newcastle United. The club is said to have identified Matthias Jaissle, currently managing Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, as his successor. Like Newcastle, this club is majority-owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Howe led the Magpies for nearly five years, guiding the club to the Champions League and securing their first major trophy in 70 years, the 2025 League Cup, with a victory over Liverpool at Wembley.

Shearer, a former captain of both Newcastle and England, admitted that Howe's decision caught him off guard. He praised the outgoing manager after five seasons in charge. "I am very, very surprised," he told Betfair. "I find the timing strange, with just three weeks before the start of the new season. I don’t know what happened—whether it was at the end of last season, during the summer, or if he feels he can no longer continue selling his best players. I’ve been led to believe it was Eddie’s personal decision." Howe led Newcastle to the League Cup final twice, in 2023 and 2025, winning the trophy in the latter against the future English champions. "It’s been an incredible journey," Shearer emphasized. "I think what he’s achieved is incredible. He took us out of a relegation-threatened situation, stabilized the team, and then took it forward. He recruited excellent players, took us to the final, we lost, then went back and finally got what we’d been waiting for for so long." Shearer, now a BBC Sport analyst, also addressed fan frustration over the departures of key players like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, following Alexander Isak’s exit. He fears captain Bruno Guimarães may soon leave as well. "If that happens, the 2026-27 season looks tough for a team that still hasn’t found its balance," he added. Matthias Jaissle, 38, has a strong reputation as a young manager, particularly within the Red Bull system and at Al-Ahli. However, his experience in those environments will be tested by the demands of the English top flight and Newcastle’s passionate fanbase. "There’s no doubt this season will be tough for Newcastle," Shearer concluded. "You can’t keep selling your best players and expect to achieve your goals." Shearer also highlighted the impact of repeated departures on team stability, noting that selling players like Tonali and Gordon—after Isak—dangerously weakens the squad for the season ahead.