Newcastle United 2026/27 Premier League preview: Magpies head into the unknown after Howe’s exit

Newcastle United will embark on a new era in 2026/27 following Eddie Howe’s decision to step aside as manager this summer.

The Magpies were underwhelming last term, winning just 14 of their 38 games to finish 12th in the Premier League standings.

Former Red Bull Salzburg and Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle has been tasked with improving the club’s fortunes this season.

Read on as we assess whether Newcastle can enjoy a productive campaign in the Premier League.

Newcastle United Premier League fixtures 2026/27

Newcastle United summer transfers 2026

IN: Aladji Bamba (Monaco, £30m), Amar Dedic (Benfica, £29.5m), Lukas Hornicek (Braga, £25.7m), Sean Steur (Ajax, £20m), Ewen Jaouen (Reims, £18.5m), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim, undisclosed), Afner Ca (Levante, free).

OUT: Sandro Tonali (Tottenham Hotspur, £92.5m), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal, £75m), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona, £69.3m), Kieran Trippier (Wolverhampton Wanderers, free), Emil Krafth (released), John Ruddy (released), Max Thompson (released), Matt Targett (released), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton, end of loan), Travis Hernes (Groningen, undisclosed), Odyssead Vlachodimos (Sevilla, loan), Antonio Cordero (Cadiz, loan), Joe White (Crewe Alexandra, undisclosed), Alex Murphy (Kaiserslautern, loan), Harrison Ashby (Luton Town, loan), Anthony Munda (Swindon Town, loan).

(Information correct on August 18).

Newcastle United Premier League season 2026/27 preview

Newcastle fans have every reason to feel concerned heading into what promises to be a difficult season in the Premier League.

The loss of several key players has stripped the squad of experience, and the acquisition of unproven talent is undoubtedly a major gamble.

Jaissle has arrived in the Premier League after little over 100 matches in the Austrian Bundesliga, followed by three years in the Saudi Pro League.

Nothing in his CV suggests he can successfully manage a club that likes to think of itself as one of the biggest in English football.

The Magpies have looked hugely disjointed during pre-season, but the new manager believes he can mould a team which excites the supporters.

“Front-footed, intense, aggressive and, of course, successful,” Jaissle said when asked about his aims for Newcastle.

“The approach we have as a coaching team, and the identity of Newcastle is famed for, it’s so linked so close together, which is a perfect fit in my eyes. And that’s going to be exciting.”

“We want to develop and improve in a short amount of time. We want to use every minute of every day. It’s a big challenge when there’s a transitional period, but it’s not time to complain.

“It doesn’t make sense to see the negative things.”

The 38-year-old is understandably keen to focus on the positives, yet Newcastle bear all the hallmarks of a club which is heading in the wrong direction.

Appointing an unproven manager to lead a squad featuring a plethora of untested players could be catastrophic.

Newcastle have not only lost three of their most important players, but have continued a trend of missing out on their primary targets in the transfer window.

Talk of the Magpies climbing back into the top half of the table looks extremely fanciful unless the club fills some of the glaring holes in their squad.

It may seem unthinkable to suggest that Newcastle could be relegation candidates, but finishing in the bottom six is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Read more: Premier League 2026/27 season preview.