Eddie Howe transformed Newcastle United from dreamers to achievers — that is his legacy. His departure has sent shockwaves throughout Newcastle but his legacy secure.
Ending the trophy drought
Howe's Newcastle ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup in 2025, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley. Dan Burn headed Newcastle in front just before half-time in that match. Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury said: "At last. At long, long last. Newcastle United are winners."
Howe also secured Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons and the club were in with a shot of finishing second in the table heading into the second last game of the 2025-26 season.
From relegation candidates to contenders
Howe inherited a Steve Bruce side in 2021 that looked certainties for relegation. A 3-1 win over Everton in February 2022 was a huge relegation six-pointer. His motto was 'intensity is our identity' and the team finished 11th that season. The following season, Newcastle finished fourth and reached their first cup final in 24 years.
Howe said after a gritty draw with Arsenal: "We are not here to be popular, we are here to compete."
Memorable moments
The 4-1 win over PSG in the Champions League epitomised the Howe era, with Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar scoring. A 6-1 win over Tottenham saw five goals in 21 manic first half minutes.
Howe won the Carabao Cup in 2025 beating Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Brentford, Arsenal over two legs and Liverpool. He achieved this having signed just one senior player — Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer — the previous summer.
The final season and departure
Last season, Newcastle finished 12th, suffered two defeats to Sunderland, and saw cracks in performances. Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Kieran Trippier, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes all left the club in the last 12 months. Howe honoured his word that he would leave if he felt he could no longer do the job to the best of his ability.
Enduring image
Howe's five years should be remembered for the joy he brought supporters. A giant banner of Howe was draped from the roof of the Sandman Signature hotel during the Carabao Cup trophy parade in 2025, with hundreds of thousands of fans lining the city centre.
