Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer stated he was "very surprised" by the "strange timing" of Eddie Howe's departure from the club, adding that he is "led to believe it was Eddie's decision to leave" just three weeks before the Premier League season begins.
Speaking exclusively to Betfair, Shearer commented on the timing of the exit, suggesting that if a change was to occur, it would have been more logical at the end of the previous season to allow for preparation. "I don't know what's gone on," Shearer said, "whether it was the end of last season, whether it was the summer, whether he feels they can't continue to sell his best players."
Shearer noted the current climate at Newcastle, where several key players have been sold. "I don't think it's a great look for what's happening at the minute with Newcastle. We're selling all our best players. The fans are seeing Isak go, the fans are seeing Tonali go, the fans are seeing Gordon go. My guess is it's probably only a matter of time before Bruno goes."
Despite the circumstances of Howe's exit, Shearer expressed gratitude for his contributions during his four-and-a-half-year tenure, particularly recalling the League Cup final victory. "He gave me my best day as a Newcastle fan with that day at Wembley," Shearer said. "He's given us some incredible nights in the Champions League that we'll never forget. He did a wonderful job for Newcastle, so it's a huge thank you to Eddie."
Howe took over Newcastle in November 2021 when the team was 19th in the league. He guided them to 11th place that season and subsequently oversaw a period of improvement. Shearer described it as an "incredible ride," highlighting Howe's ability to stabilize the team, improve their league position, bring in new players, and reach cup finals.
Reports indicate that Al Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle, 38, is the leading candidate to replace Howe. Jaissle joined the Saudi club in 2023 and secured back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Shearer, however, views this as a significant challenge for the young manager.
"Clearly, he's got a great record in Saudi. Clearly, he's very young and inexperienced," Shearer commented. "The Premier League is a beast of a league. It's a big ask for anyone to come in and take over after what Eddie's done. If Jaissle does come in, you're asking a 38-year-old to navigate very, very tricky waters."
Regarding Howe's future, Shearer anticipates that he will not lack opportunities. "He won't be short of offers. We know that, for what he's done and what he's achieved at Newcastle. There's no doubt that he'll have people knocking on his door from all over the world. So we'll have to wait and see what is next for him."
For Newcastle, the immediate priority is to establish stability with limited time before the Premier League season begins. Shearer stressed the need for new signings, emphasizing that while the club is pursuing young, ambitious players, experienced individuals are also crucial for the demanding Premier League. "There's no doubt this season's going to be a tough one for Newcastle," Shearer concluded. "You can't keep selling your best players in the hope that you're going to get to where you want to get to. What I would like is stability."