Is Newcastle United Facing a Crisis? Insights on Eddie Howe, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes

Just 24 days before their Premier League opener against Liverpool, Newcastle United announced that manager Eddie Howe would leave immediately. This unexpected decision followed a heavy 4-1 pre-season loss to Bristol City and a disappointing 12th-place finish in the league after losing 17 out of 38 games.

The summer has been rocky at St James' Park, with key players like Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali already sold, more exits anticipated, and replacements failing to impress. Howe’s nearly five-year tenure transformed Newcastle from relegation strugglers to Carabao Cup champions and two-time Champions League contenders. The club looks set to appoint Matthias Jaissle, currently managing Al-Ahli, as Howe’s successor.

Why Newcastle Feels Like It's in Turmoil

Howe’s exit signals growing instability. His influence waned over recruitment decisions, causing friction behind the scenes. Over recent transfer windows, Newcastle lost crucial contributors: Alexander Isak moved to Liverpool in 2025, followed by Gordon and Tonali heading to Barcelona and Tottenham. The possible departure of captain Bruno Guimaraes, linked with Arsenal, adds to the uncertainty.

The club's drop to 12th place last season starkly contrasts with their earlier Champions League performances. Still, Howe leaves a legacy marked by historic highs, including ending a 70-year domestic trophy drought and securing 84 wins across 179 Premier League matches—more than any other Newcastle manager.

Behind the scenes, transfer strategies shifted away from proven talents to younger, less certain prospects, with the sale of Isak being an early sign. The timing of Howe’s departure, mere weeks before the new season, exacerbates doubts about squad readiness and strategic direction.

Can Newcastle Bounce Back?

Financially stable thanks to backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle is not in an ownership crisis but faces sporting challenges. Replacing Howe was always tough; doing so just before the season begins raises questions about the club’s preparedness.

If Jaissle takes the helm, he'll bring strong credentials from Red Bull Salzburg and Al-Ahli but lacks Premier League experience. With several top players gone, the squad now blends inexperience and new tactics, potentially leaving Newcastle exposed early in the campaign.

Their fall from fifth place in 2024-25 to 12th shows vulnerability. Other clubs like Aston Villa, Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth have improved, and promoted teams are stronger than before. Financial muscle alone won’t guarantee safety.

Should Jaissle struggle or the team take time to gel, Newcastle might linger in the bottom half or face a relegation fight within a season or two. That would be a sharp decline for a side competing in Europe less than two years ago.

Despite this, Newcastle still holds the resources to recover, but without swift stability on and off the pitch, their recent success could fade into a brief peak rather than a lasting rise among England's elite.

• Eddie Howe: 84 Premier League wins, 38 draws, 57 defeats in 179 games for Newcastle.
• Key departures: Alexander Isak (to Liverpool), Anthony Gordon (to Barcelona), Sandro Tonali (to Tottenham).
• Possible exit: Captain Bruno Guimaraes linked with Arsenal.
• Upcoming appointment: Matthias Jaissle expected to replace Howe.