North East | One Newcastle fan responds to Eddie Howe exit

Newcastle United fan Anthony Gates has responded to the news that Eddie Howe has left the left

What do you think of this Newcastle United fans?

Eddie Howe has given Newcastle fans some of our happiest memories. We ended our trophy drought with him. We reached the Champions League twice under his management. We fell back in love with Newcastle United with him. And now he has gone.

Last season was a struggle. This summer's transfer window, and indeed last summer's, has been less than inspiring. In that context, it makes sense that Howe has departed, giving someone else the opportunity to make their mark on the club. Wednesday's pre-season defeat at Bristol City perhaps cemented that feeling for me.

The timing, despite the thrashing in Bristol, still feels a little strange. Questions over Howe's future had been hanging over the club since the start of the year. It seemed certain he would leave after the two defeats by Sunderland. He stayed, but the season eventually ended on a disappointing note.

"For me, the timing is the hardest thing to understand..."

This could have happened in May, at the end of the season, when a number of high-calibre managers were looking for new clubs. It was becoming increasingly clear that Howe needed a break.

One of the things we have loved about him as a manager is how much he clearly cares about the team, the club and the city. The poor performances during the latter stages of last season appeared to take a visible toll on him. Perhaps it would have been better for this amicable separation to happen then?

More importantly, it would have given Newcastle the opportunity to properly celebrate Howe's achievements. Some might scoff at that, but I prefer to be a little romantic about these things.

Maybe him leaving this way is simply football, and the nature of the beast. I just hope that, when we look back on the Howe era, what we remember most is the magic, because for a while, it really was there.

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