Newcastle United fans have told ChronicleLive how "gutted" they are to see the expected departure of Eddie Howe, the man who brought a first cup win in half a century to Tyneside. Most fans outside St James' Park agreed that his exit had been coming.
"Eddie Howe deserves the gratitude of the city, of Tyneside, and of the wider area," said Craig Toft from Wallsend. Reports of Howe's impending exit began circulating on Thursday morning.
Fans reflect on Howe's impact
Fan Chris Dixon said: "It's obviously gutting. But unfortunately, I think with the way the post-season has gone, with the fall out from last season - well I think the writing has been on the wall. I remember when he first came in, how the club was dying. He lifted us. And we have had great Champions League nights, obviously the cup win was unbelievable. But this was always going to happen sooner or later. The worry is he won't be the last of the big names to be leaving."
Lifelong fan and season ticket holder of 35 years Dorothy Bell felt the manager hadn't been backed as he ought to have been. "I'm not surprised really. I think he's been unhappy with the transfers that have been going on. Personally I think he's been let down. I perfectly understand his feelings, but I think for the team I have mixed feelings. New blood coming in could be good though."
Mixed emotions over timing
Reece Bowman said Howe would be remembered fondly: "It's not a huge shock. I just think the timing could have been better. It's the right action at the wrong time. He's been an absolute legend - on a level with King Kev, but it just went a bit sour towards the end. But in years to come we'll look back and see Eddie was absolutely outstanding."
Craig Toft added: "I can't quite believe the timing. That's the most surprising thing. Obviously we have somebody lined up, this guy from a Saudi club. I'll be honest, Eddie Howe won us a trophy and as far as I'm concerned Eddie gets a pass for numerous years! I would have had Eddie Howe take us down and keep the job, he means that much to the club I think. He had clearly a lot of integrity about him. We won the cup! I'm 49 now, my dad's 78 - he never thought he'd see anything like that. As far as I'm concerned Eddie Howe deserves the gratitude of the city and of Tyneside and of the wider area."
Harry Billingsley, 16, a season ticket holder since age four, said: "I think it's probably the right decision but I wish they'd done it at the end of last season. We've started pre-season with Eddie Howe and now whoever is going to come in, he has less time to set his tactics and apply the way he wants to play. He's got a difficult job on his hands."
Anxiety about the season ahead
Chris Dixon expressed anxiety about the season ahead, just weeks away. He said a friend had put money on Newcastle to be relegated. "I don't think we're that bad but I think it's going to be a struggle this season. It's not going to be an easy watch."
Another teenager, Lucas Grant from Gateshead, said: "I think he's taken the club as far as he can. He's never had a back-up plan for a while, especially with the performance last season going from Champions League football to no European football at all."
