Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes Eddie Howe left Newcastle United at the right time, saying the former head coach saw the writing on the wall at the end of last season. Lambert's comments come as current head coach Matthias Jaissle faces a difficult task to turn the Magpies into a top Premier League outfit again.
Howe's Departure and the Summer Exodus
Howe left the club in the summer after almost five years in charge. His exit followed a turbulent period that also saw top stars Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes depart St James' Park.
Newcastle brought in eight new players along with head coach Jaissle, but the focus on young potential has not yet produced the heights the club achieved under Howe for most of his reign. The Magpies also struggled for much of last season, and many fans feel Jaissle has been hampered by a lack of goalscoring options in his squad.
Lambert's Verdict on the Current Situation
Lambert, who won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund as a player and later managed Villa, Norwich, Blackburn, and Ipswich, told BetVictor: "I think Eddie Howe saw the writing on the wall and got out at the right time. The new manager probably thought things would be different than how they are turning out."
"Eddie Howe wouldn't have left if everything was a bed of roses. It's a great club with a great fan base, but Matthias Jaissle has a fight on his hands with the expectations there. They have good players at Newcastle," he added.
Concerns Over Home Form and Upcoming Fixtures
Lambert expressed concern about the team's results, saying: "They need to stabilise and get back to winning. A worrying thing is losing games at home. Away from home they don't look like they can grind it out, and at home they're not winning either. That's a concern."
Newcastle return to action after the international break when they host Arsenal at St James' Park on November 21, followed by a trip to face Brighton on November 29.
