Valencia (a)
SOLD OUT
Bayer / Strasbourg (h)
Public sale now
Liverpool (h) ST
forwarding/resale now
Spurs (a)
SOLD OUT
Bournemouth (h)
Member sale Mon 10.08, 10am
2026/27:
Spurs (a) extra train
FAO anyone looking to head north by train following the Spurs (a)
game on Saturday August 29th:
In addition to the 21.03 LNER departure from London Kings
Cross to Newcastle, there will now also be an earlier LNER departure
at 20.33 from London Kings Cross to Newcastle.
Incoming:
Horni is a Geordie
Newcastle confirmed their fifth senior signing of the
current transfer window on Monday morning, goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek
joining from Portuguese side Sporting Braga.
Although the transfer fee is undisclosed, a £25.7m release clause was claimed for
the 24 year-old Czech international custodian who has signed a five
year contract.
Pulled out of Braga's Europa Conference tie last Thursday, Hornicek
travelled to Spain for his medical before linking up with his new
colleagues at their La Manga training camp.
He will be the third player from that country to play for the
Magpies, following Pavel Srnicek and David Rozehnal.
Standing 6 foot 6 inches tall, Lukas was on the bench for all three
of the Czech Republic's three ties at this summer's World Cup Finals
in the USA, having won his first senior cap at the end of last
season.
(Spoiler alert: the club posted a link on social media "Lukas'
first words after landing in Spain", which proved to be
"hello, how are you?" not "who is the manager...")
Update:
This is your
captain sneaking
24 hours later than originally mentioned, Bruno Guimaraes
linked up with the Newcastle squad in La Manga on Monday, where he's due
to
meet new boss Matthias Jaissle.
Current indications/predictions/propaganda suggest that the club
captain remains set on a move to Arsenal, with news breaking on Monday of a first official bid from the Gunners for an unspecified amount,
that was rejected.
Separately, it's claimed on social media that promotional material
for 2026/27 kits featuring United's number 39 is no longer visible
in and around SJP.
Update:
Meet the new boss
Update: while a formal
announcement from the club is still awaited, Jaissle and his
coaching staff are overseeing United's pre-season training camp at La Manga.
Saturday brought further claims that Matthias Jaissle
has been appointed as Newcastle manager, having travelled to the
club's Spanish training camp.
The 38
year-old German-born coach had been in charge of Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al-Ahli
since 2023, but has reportedly left after United agreed to pay a
claimed £10m compensation figure. He's agreed a five year contract.
Like United, Jeddah-based Al-Ahli are overseen by PIF. On their
books at present is former Magpie striker Ivan Toney.
It's reported that Jaissle will bring a full complement of support
staff to Gallowgate.
2026/27:
Ticket to ride
2026/27 Magpie Mover tickets are now on sale, allowing public
transport use in Tyne & wear on home matchdays from three hours
before kick-off until the end of service*
Held at £25 for each of the last four seasons, the price has
increased to £35 this time round, with no concessions.
Available to season ticket holders, Magpie+ members are also
eligible to purchase them as was the case last season - although
pass validity depends on having a match ticket.
* competitive senior games only, no friendlies/U18/U21s.
Update:
Valencia (a)
Newcastle's next pre-season game - and
the first since the departure of Eddie Howe - sees them head 175
miles north from La Manga to Valencia on Saturday.
Their opponents in a 9pm kick-off (8pm BST) at the Mestalla Stadium
are a Valencia side who finished ninth in La Liga last season under
Carlos Corberan - who previously managed both Huddersfield
Town and West Bromwich Albion.
Their most recent pre-season game was a 1-1 draw at Stoke City,
which followed a training camp at the FA's St.George's Park
facility.
Valencia don't have a game on the opening day of their domestic
league season, opening up at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday August
22nd.
The Magpies will be playing for the Trofeu Taronja (Orange Trophy),
the 54th staging of Valencia's annual curtain-raiser, kicking off what
should be their
final season at the 1923 vintage Mestalla.
Although preparation works for the Nou Mestalla, three miles to the
north of the current ground, began in 2007, it's only now that construction of the
70,000 capacity arena has advanced to the point that a 2027 opening date
is likely.
This is Newcastle's first visit to the Mestalla, having
faced Valencia at Gallowgate in pre-season back in 2008 when Damien
Duff and James Milner goals secured a 2-1 win.
The initial away allocation was increased from 1,381 to 2,000
although the stadium won't be full, with some home areas not on
sale. The hosts were gifting tickets in recent days to supporters
who donated blood at the stadium!
This and United's other public pre-season
games are available as paid live streams
from NUFC
here
PS: Valencia's official Youtube channel is advertising live coverage
of our game, but it's unclear whether there are territorial
restrictions.
Update:
Carabao Cup stuff
A rejigged fixture calendar sees Carabao Cup First Round ties
played this weekend, after which will come the draw for the Second
Round that includes Newcastle United*.
35 First Round ties are scheduled between Thursday
(06.08) and Monday (10.08) involving teams from the
Championship, League One and League Two.
The Magpies are then one of 11 Premier League clubs that enter what
is a regionalised Second Round, to be played during the week
commencing Monday 24.08.
That tie will take place between United's opening two Premier League
fixtures, at home to Liverpool on Sunday 23.08 and away at Spurs on
Saturday 29.08.
* the EFL are yet to announce when this season's Second Round draw
will be staged.
Bombshell:
Coach
departures
now confirmed
Following Thursday
morning's media revelations about the future of Eddie Howe, the club
formally announced the exit of him and his coaches on Friday
afternoon as follows:
Newcastle United can
announce that Eddie Howe has informed the club of his decision to
step down as head coach.
The club has accepted Eddie’s
decision and would like to thank him for his extraordinary
contribution.
Also leaving the club are
coaches Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon
Weatherstone, and head of performance Dan Hodges.
Eddie Howe:
"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.
"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.
"It is difficult to put into
words what this club, the city and its supporters mean, and will
always mean, to me and my family. From the moment myself, Jason and
all of the staff arrived nearly half a decade ago, Newcastle
instantly felt like home and the people here welcomed us with open
arms. We took huge pride in representing the club from day one and
this city will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
"There have been so many incredible moments in our time here. From
fighting relegation in our first season to the numerous
unforgettable nights at St. James’ Park in the Champions League soon
after. The progression was fast.
"Everyone came together, united
and what a force we became, culminating in bringing home our first
domestic trophy in 70 years. These are all memories that I will
cherish for the rest of my life.
"I would like to put on record
my sincere thanks and appreciation to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Jamie
Reuben, Jacobo Solís and everyone at PIF, David Hopkinson, Ross
Wilson and the entire ownership and leadership group for placing
their trust in me and for giving me the opportunity to lead this
special football club.
"I remain incredibly positive
and enthusiastic about the future of Newcastle. The club is in
fantastic hands with a great leadership team and I have no doubt
together, alongside whoever comes in to replace me, they will
continue to deliver success on the pitch.
"Thank you to Jason Tindall,
Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches, Simon Weatherstone, Dan Hodges, Andy
Howe and Jordan Tribe for their incredible loyalty, support and
dedication and to all of the amazing staff behind the scenes whose
hard work and loyalty makes this club what it is.
"A special thank you to all of
the players who have represented the club during my time here.
Without you, nothing would have been possible and it’s been an
honour to have coached you all.
“"Finally, and most importantly,
thank you to our incredible supporters. Your passion and loyalty
have inspired me every single day. To stand on the touchline at St.
James’ Park as your manager with the honour of representing your
club has meant more to me than you will ever know.
"While my journey as manager has
now come to an end, the affinity and love I will always hold for
Newcastle United never will.
"Thank you for everything. I
wish the club every success for the future.”
David Hopkinson:
"Eddie and his staff leave with the deep
gratitude and respect of everyone at Newcastle United, and with a
lasting place in the club’s history.
"While we are naturally
disappointed to see Eddie leave, we remain immensely thankful for
everything he has done for the club.
"On behalf of our owners, Board,
players, staff and supporters, I would like to extend sincere thanks
to Eddie for his outstanding service and leadership, and wish him
and his family every success and happiness for the future.”
Ross Wilson:
"I would like to thank Eddie and his staff
for everything they have done for Newcastle United.
"I'm grateful for the support,
trust and partnership Eddie has shown throughout our time working
together. His dedication to the players, staff and supporters has
been evident, and he leaves with the respect and admiration of
everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside him.
"I wish Eddie and his family
every happiness and success in the future."
The process to recruit a new
head coach is at an advanced stage and updates will be communicated
shortly.
Update:
Now I must wave goodbye
News of Howe's abrupt departure so soon after the death of Kevin
Keegan has done nothing to improve the collective mood of what is an
emotional fanbase at any time.
Tellingly though, sadness at the circumstances that led to the decision and
gratitude at what he achieved seems combined with a certain relief
that it has happened now.
Like Kevin, Eddie's exit at this point ensures that he leaves Gallowgate
with his reputation largely intact; he won't be recalled as "that fella who
took Newcastle down."
Whether the "not like it was in the brochure" line from 1992
is applicable in 2026 depends on whose interpretation of events you
trust. There is a certainly a parallel in terms of financial
limitations that dictate player trading, even if they are now as a result of
external restrictions rather than internally (plc) generated, as was the case
in 1996.
The time in post for both Keegan and Howe is also broadly similar
(approaching five years) and the personal cost of steering this
particular ship for that period is real: both looked haunted at the
end of their tenure.
The state of the club Howe leaves is of great concern to us, with
uncertainty our current identity rather than intensity.
Ahead of whatever our next chapter is though, it would be remiss of
us not to mark this event in some way.
For our favourite Eddie moment not to be what happened at Wembley in March 2025 -
and across the city days later - would be even more obtuse than usual, but
here are a slack handful of other Howe highlights, in his own words:
Jan 2022 Leeds United 0 Newcastle United 1
"An incredible intensity...today we learned that there's a
resilience in the team. They are fighting for each other and fighting for
the club. They have belief that we're not dead and buried and there's more
to come."
April 2023 Newcastle United 6 Spurs 1
"We want the high energy and intensity off the ball and then we want
the calmness on it. We want progressive football so the lads have had to
take on a lot of information but they're doing incredibly well.
"Since I walked through the door
here, the players have responded so well to us and I can't thank
them enough really. There was that little bit of happiness after the
game, which you want. There’s smiles, and that feeling of winning is
unique."
Oct 2023 Newcastle United 4 PSG 1
"The atmosphere was very special, I knew it would be. There was an
extra level tonight, I can’t thank the supporters enough. I hope there are
a lot more nights like this to come. It is a very special night for all of
us.
"We hope that gives us that
belief we need to be successful.... only by doing this can you truly
prove [you belong at this level]. Hopefully this goes a long
way towards that."
Nov 2023 PSG 1 Newcastle United 1
"As much as this is a huge
deflating feeling, it could be another story in our season. Despite
huge numbers of quality players not being here, the group stepped up
and gave more, we've shown a spirit of togetherness and a
willingness to fight for each other than is as good as I've ever
seen.
"We're still in it, and
that's the thing we can't forget. We still believe."
Jan 2025 Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 2
"We knew what was at
stake and the players put their bodies on the line. It’s still very
much game on and we’ve only done half the work.
"These are big wins for us – hopefully that can help us in future
games. We have to try and win at any ground and go into any game
feeling that we are capable of doing that.
"When you’re in my shoes you
have to be strategic and plan well."
Nov 2025 Newcastle United 2 Manchester City 1
"It
was a really high-level game between two really good teams...we're
just delighted to win tonight.
"The heart, the endeavour,
the attitude of the group pleased me today....it should give us a
big lift in a tough Premier League season.
"The challenge now is to
keep it up....we need to have the identity we played with
today."
There's a
certain poignancy that his last public appearance at SJP was to be laying a
wreath in tribute to Keegan.
There may never be a statue erected or a stand named in his honour, but
Howe's place in our history is cemented as the man who
succeeded where a cavalcade of illustrious managers since Joe Harvey
and including KK
had failed.
Others may have won celebrated battles (Howay 5-0, Barca 3-2 etc)
but he won a war. He has the winner's medal, we have memories of
something we never truly expected.
For that, he has our eternal gratitude.
Update:
Ready, Eddie, Go
It sounds like the beginning of a bad (or dad) joke:
Dan Burn walks in to the training ground and says, "anything
happened since I've been away...?"
Even by our comedic standards, the last two
months or so have been bonkers. Player departures, arrivals, phantom and
failed bids, another big player saga, the untimely death of a manager who
should have ended the wait for silverware and the unforeseen departure of
the one who did.
All of that was set against the backdrop of
some minor football competition in North America and before a ball is kicked
in anger. A reminder that it's still July.
We had privately speculated that the
extended international break that followed the opening 10 Premier League
games of this season could prove simply irresistible to the club, were
results not acceptable.
Our conviction that Howe remained the best person for the job meanwhile was
based less on faith in and loyalty to him and more on doubts over the club's
ability to appoint a superior replacement. We'll now get the chance to find
out.
Instead, the end came at the start of a 10
day break before the next pre-season kickabout, with a sizeable chunk of
senior players yet to dirty their boots. Never mind adjusting to new tactics
and formations, the La Manga training camp may now need to be extended to
accommodate the number of player and staff initiations required.....
Matthias who? A left field appointment
compared by one seasoned malcontent as akin to that of teutonic technician
Erik Dornheim in the Goal! movie. The name may not have been mentioned, but
what looks to amount to the reallocation of a PIF resource comes as little
shock.
Like many supporters, Howe looked to have
the weight of the world on his shoulders barely two months ago, at the end
of the longest season in the club's history.
Had he departed on June 1st it
would have had seemed like a natural conclusion with an air of
inevitability. To come at this point in time initially looked like classic knee-jerk NUFC
these cynical eyes, but it appears that the club persuaded him not to quit
in May, giving him the opportunity to rediscover his Magpie mojo to no
avail.
From Bill McGarry to Kenny Dalglish,
Ruud Gullit and Bobby Robson we're no strangers to managerial exits in the early weeks of
the season. Howe's departure however is akin to Jack Charlton's departure in
1985, walking after some low level terrace dissent
during a friendly against Sheffield United with less than 5,000 fans
rattling round SJP.
Fast forward four decades and the latest
managerial exit delights the dissenters (including what we term the cyber
bedsheet brigade) and dismays the less demonstrative element that still
supported him.
Opinions are polarised but it's not a black and white, match goers versus
onlookers situation: some of the most audible critics of Howe are the fans
who travelled far and wide to support his team, while among his biggest
defenders are overseas converts who have never set foot inside SJP.
At a moment's notice, the ongoing communal
conversation about whether the NUFC "project" had stalled or ended
is replaced by a thirst for knowledge about what direction the club is now
plotting a course in.
We don't subscribe to the idea that CEOs,
MDs or whoever the buck stops with need to conduct a constant dialogue, but
it seems an opportune time for a mission statement containing clear intent,
not just bland platitudes.
It's never dull round here, just
increasingly difficult to keep pace with, rationalise - and afford.
Update:
Amandaland
From the BBC, Sunday:
Former West Ham co-owner David
Gold's daughter Vanessa has confirmed the family plans to sell its
shares in the club to a consortium headed by ex-Newcastle co-owner
Amanda Staveley.
Gold's family had been holding
discussions with Staveley's consortium, which also includes her
husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, over a 25% stake in the Championship
club.
In a statement, Vanessa Gold
said: "I have now reached an agreement to sell my family's
shareholding to a consortium of PCP Capital Partners, led by Amanda
Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, in partnership with Ashland Forest
Capital Partners.
"While the process has not yet
concluded, I wanted to be open with our fans about where things
stand and my intentions."
Vanessa Gold added: "My ambition
throughout this process has been to ensure the club has the right
leadership and ownership to enable West Ham to achieve its potential
and return to its rightful place in the Premier League.
"Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad
Ghodoussi and PCP Capital Partners will bring deep experience and
understanding of what it takes to lead a successful football club. I
have every confidence in what she and her partners can bring to West
Ham."
2026/27:
Hot and bothered
Bristol City 4 Newcastle
1
Match report
Match action
Loan
lads:
Antonio on target again
Antonio Cordero (Cadiz):
The on-loan Magpie made it two goals from set pieces in two pre-season games on
Saturday, netting in a 2-2 draw with Tenerife. Cadiz then
won a penalty shootout 5-4.
Odysseas Vlachodimos (Seville):
Sunday saw Seville continue their pre-season preparations with a 1-0
win at Utrecht. Vlach was in the starting XI.
Harrison Ashby (Luton Town):
The Hatters ended their pre-season programme with a 0-1 home loss to
Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday.
Ashby took no part in the game, the third kickabout that he's missed
due to an ankle injury.
Update:
Sho goes on
Newcastle have added a new Head of Corporate
Affairs to their management team in the form of Shola Ameobi, who
vacates his previous role of club loans co-ordinator.
Announcing the news, the club confirmed that Shola was part of the Premier
League’s Executive Pathway Scheme in 2023 and graduated with a master’s
degree in strategic leadership at Newcastle University in December 2025.
There's no mention of who will take on the "loan arranger" role,
or whether the post will be filled at all.
2026/27:
TV times
The Premier League have published their revised fixture schedule for live TV
covering August and September, with
Newcastle's opening four games all altered:
Sun 23.08.2026 Liverpool (h) 4.30pm Sky
Sat 29.08.2026 Spurs (a) 5.30pm Sky
Sat 05.09.2026 Bournemouth (h) 12.30pm TNT
Mon 14.09.2026 Leeds United (a) 8pm Sky*
Sat 19.09.2026 Hull City (h) 3pm no live UK TV
* if NUFC or LUFC are in the Carabao Cup Third Round and drawn
against a club in the Champions League (Arsenal, Aston Villa,
Liverpool, Manchester City or Manchester United), this game will be
on Sat 12.09.2026 @ 12.30pm.
Assuming both sides survive the Second Round, a final decision on
the PL game will rest on the Third Round draw, which takes place on
or around Tue 25.08.2026.
The possible move is because Carabao Cup Third round ties are once
again split over two weeks, the first clashing with Matchday 1 in
the Champions League Group stage.
1980
Hearts (Scotland) (a) 1-1 (1-0)
1984
Queen of The South (Scotland) (a) 1-1 (0-1)
1988
Trollhattan (Sweden) (a) 2-1
(?-?)
1992
Doncaster Rovers(a)
1-1 (0-0)
2003
Hull City (a)
2004
2009
1,300 fans saw Blyth Spartans marked the
centenary of Croft Park by restaging the inaugural fixture
against a Newcastle XI.
2010
A United reserve XI lost 1-4 at Luton Town, Nile Ranger
netting against the Conference Hatters who were managed by Richard Money.
2012
