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Newcastle fans 'concerned' after Howe departure

Kay Davidson,at St James' Parkand
Evie Lake,North East and Cumbria
EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Eddie Howe lifting the Carabao cup above his head which is a silver cup with a green bottom. He has light brown, short hair and is wearing a black Newcastle United long-sleeved top and a scarf around his neck. He has his mouth open as if shouting and looks very happy. Newcastle players, Bruno Guimarães, Sven Botman and John Ruddy stand behind him smiling with their arms in the air. They are on a stage with a black background.EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Eddie Howe ended Newcastle's 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy

Newcastle fans are feeling mixed emotions after the sudden departure of manager Eddie Howe.

The 48-year-old has left the club following a 4-1 defeat to Bristol City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, and after finishing 12th in the Premier League last season.

BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck said Howe would "always be remembered as one of the great Newcastle United managers", after ending the club's 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy with the Carabao Cup in 2025.

Toon fans around the city feel subdued, with most shocked at the timing so close to the start of the football season.

As well as leading Newcastle to its first bit of silverware in decades, in his almost five years at the club Howe also led the Magpies to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025.

Matthias Jaissle, manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, is expected to be appointed as Howe's successor.

BBC/Kay Davison Anne Pontin standing outside of St James' Park which is still lined with Kevin Keegan tributes which spill out onto the pavement in front of the stadium. Pontin was short, white hair and is wearing silver rectangular glasses and a pink patterned top and shirt. She is looking to the left and has a straight face.BBC/Kay Davison
Anne Pontin said she was "devastated" by the news of Howe's departure

Outside St James' Park, fan Anne Pontin said she was "devastated".

"I'm really, really shocked," she said.

"We've sold a lot of our best players, Trippier, Gordon, Tonali, possibly Bruno, so the ground has probably been taken from beneath his feet.

"It's a great, great shame, seeing this which gave us joy, we just wonder what the future holds for our club."

Natasha Khatib said while she was "gutted" she was "surprised at the timing".

"I thought it would have happened at the end of the season, but they obviously reassured each other they wanted to continue," she said.

"I feel concerned about the future of this coming season, the recruitment window is still open but a lot of the top managers are already gone."

Meanwhile, Jake Wakefield said he would "respect him for the rest of my life", adding Howe had done "absolutely amazing things for this football club".

"But I do think it was the right time to go," he said.

PA Media Eddie Howe sitting down on a red chair during the Bristol game. He is looking to the right and has his mouth slightly open. He is wearing a black sports jacket with the white Adidas stripes on the shoulder.PA Media
Howe managed his last Newcastle match on Wednesday against Bristol City

Raisbeck spoke to Howe after the Bristol match and said he thought he looked like someone "who probably wouldn't be at Newcastle United for very much longer", but the timing was still a "surprise".

"Eddie Howe - with Champions League football, brilliant, exciting, attacking play at St James' Park, great nights, great goals, great results, wonderful memories - is a Newcastle United hero and a legend," he said

"He will always be remembered as one of the great Newcastle United managers - there is no doubt about that."

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