Eddie Howe's brutally honest admission to reporters hours before quitting Newcastle

Eddie Howe made a telling comment hours before his Newcastle United exit was confirmed.

Howe was appointed Newcastle head coach in 2021 and leaves the Magpies after five years, during which he guided the side to two Champions League qualifications and victory in the 2025 Carabao Cup.

The decision to part ways with the North East club came just hours after Newcastle suffered a 4-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Bristol City on Wednesday (July 29).

Following the match at Ashton Gate, Howe admitted that he had no say over transfers, explaining that he wanted to leave that to his backroom team while flying back from Bristol.

Newcastle have sold several key players in recent seasons, with Alexander Isak signing for Liverpool in 2025, while Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have already left for Spurs and Barcelona respectively this summer.

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Club captain and talisman Bruno Guimaraes has been heavily linked with a transfer to Premier League champions Arsenal, with Howe admitting the Brazilian is likely to move following the defeat to Bristol City.

When questioned about the midfielder’s future by reporters, Howe gave a brutally honest response.

"What will be, will be," Howe said. "We can’t control the forces that are at play here. We’ve just got to make sure that when Bruno comes back, we look after him and he trains well, which I’m sure he will do.

"And he makes a difference, as he always has done."

In a separate interview, he added: "Assurances? I don't think you can push too hard for those. I think I've said many times you want players that are committed.

"Bruno's always been committed here. His training performances, his game performances, have been outstanding. Every time he's worn the shirt, he's played with the fans by his side. I'd love to see that continue.

"I think we want to keep all of our best players. They're so valuable, and as I said numerous times, there aren't many of them, and to get them and develop them is so difficult.

"So when you have them, you want to keep them. And Bruno's very much in that category; he's an outstanding player."

Howe also admitted that the transfer saga was an "unhealthy" distraction for the club during pre-season.

The 48-year-old Englishman then hinted at future "upheaval" at the club, saying: "I think there's always reason to be optimistic and that's very much my default setting. I believe great things are possible every season, with a real buzz about what's ahead. I see no reason to be any different this year."

Who will replace Eddie Howe at Newcastle United?

Howe is expected to be replaced by Al Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle, with the German guiding the Saudi side to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles in 2025 and 2026.

The 38-year-old previously coached FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg, with a deal expected to be straightforward as Al Ahli are a Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned club like Newcastle.

Newcastle get their 2026/27 Premier League campaign underway at home against Liverpool on August 23.