Sky Sports UK revealed the behind-the-scenes details of English manager Eddie Howe's departure from Newcastle United, confirming that the decision to leave came from the coach himself after he felt he had reached the end of his journey with the club.
According to the Sky Sports report, Howe began considering leaving after Newcastle's loss to Fulham in the final matchday of last season, during which he questioned in discussions with club management whether the team needed a new coaching staff.
The report noted that a meeting was held two days after that match, which ended with all parties agreeing Howe would stay; at the time he affirmed to club management and the media his full commitment to leading the team.
The network added that the 48-year-old manager used his summer break to reflect and returned to pre-season convinced he had taken Newcastle as far as possible, raising the idea of leaving once again.
Sky Sports clarified that the sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon for around £170 million, along with Bruno Guimarães's desire to move to Arsenal, were not the direct reason for his decision, but they heightened his sense that the upcoming season would be more difficult, especially with the club's shift toward signing younger, less experienced players.
The report confirmed that fatigue was the main factor in Howe's decision after nearly five years in charge, in addition to suffering from pneumonia that required hospitalization last April and not having enough rest to recover.
The network added that Newcastle's management accepted the manager's decision and asked him to stay on temporarily until a new coach could be agreed, so operations inside the club continued normally for more than two weeks while management secretly searched for a replacement.
According to the report, Howe informed his coaching staff of his decision last night after returning from the friendly against Bristol City.
Sky Sports indicated that German coach Matthias Jaissle has become the leading candidate to succeed Howe and is expected to join the squad at the La Manga training camp once his appointment is officially announced.
The report concluded by affirming that Howe will remain one of the most prominent managers in Newcastle's history after leading the team to its first domestic title in 70 years, returning them to the Champions League, and helping build a squad that has restored the fans to the forefront of English competition.