Alan Shearer on Howe Leaving Newcastle: Geordies will always be grateful to Eddie but we are in for a tough season

The timing is strange

I'm very, very surprised with the news that Eddie Howe is leaving Newcastle. It's strange timing with three weeks to go until the new season kicks off.

I don't know what's gone on, 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.

I'm led to believe it was Eddie's decision to leave.

It's been an incredible ride

What I would say is thank you.

Thank you to Eddie for what he's given us. I mean, he gave me my best day as a Newcastle fan with that day at Wembley.

He's given us some incredible nights in the Champions League that we'll never ever forget.

He did a wonderful job for Newcastle, so it's a huge thank you to Eddie.

It's been an incredible ride. I think the job that he did was unbelievable from where he took us when he came, there was a real threat of relegation. He steadied the ship. He then got us climbing the league. He then brought in some wonderful players. He then took us to a final; we got beaten in that final, but then took us back again and gave us the day that we've so craved for. 

I've been to Wembley as a player and lost. I've been to Wembley as a fan and lost. But I've also had the pleasure of going to Wembley and winning thanks to Eddie.

Whatever happens now, the Geordies will always be grateful for what he gave us that day.

Eddie Howe will get offers from everywhere

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, I guess. But first, I guess a rest first for him. I know he's probably just had two or three weeks over the summer, which is why it's sort of strange timing. If something was going to happen, you would have thought it would have happened at the end of last season so it would have given Newcastle time to prepare. 

From Eddie's point of view, he'll get offers. He'll get offers from the Premier League, he'll get offers from abroad. So we'll have to wait and see what is next for him.

It's a big ask for his replacement

It's being reported that Matthieas Jaissle is set to come in. I think we have to be careful if that is the case not to pile on.

Clearly, he's got a great record in Saudi. Clearly, he's very young and inexperienced. The Premier League is a beast of a league. It's a big ask for anyone to come in and takeover from what Eddie's done.

I don't think it's a great look for what's happening at the minute with Newcastle, you know, it's like what's going on? 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, because he'll look at what's happening with all those players and look at what's happening with Eddie and think, 'Well, from a personal point of view, from his point of view, I guess I'm going to be next.'

It's certainly not a good look, and they'll have to navigate some tough waves coming their way now, because it's the unknown. I mean, if Jaissle does come in, you're asking a t38-year-old to come in and navigate very, very tricky waters.

I want to see some stability at Newcastle

I'd like to see Newcastle sign players, because it's alright having this bold new look of going for young, hungry players who are 30 or 40 million pounds. But also, as I've said, the Premier League is tough. You need some experienced heads in there as well.

There's no doubt this season's going to be a tough one for Newcastle. You can't keep selling your best players in the hope that you're going to get to where you want to get to, you know. 

What I would like is stability. I would like to keep hold of our better players, but I understand, and I get that from their point of view now, that they'll be looking at the situation and thinking, 'Hang on a minute, what's going on at this football club?' And I get that and understand that. So, I would like some stability.

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