Newcastle United have confirmed that Eddie Howe has stepped down from his role as head coach.
Sources told ESPN on Thursday that Howe had decided to bring an end to his five-year stint at the club in which he ended their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
“After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United,” Howe said in a statement to club media.
“After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break.
“Although it’s been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it’s the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I’ve been here and this one is no different.
“It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United.
