Howe and Newcastle reach exit decision after Bristol City defeat

According to reports from The Athletic's David Ornstein, the 48-year-old has had a change of heart - having previously decided to remain at St James' Park at the end of last season - and will now depart in the coming days after five years in charge in the North East.

The former Bournemouth manager is said to have told the Premier League side that he wishes to take a break away from football, something he did after his stint on the south coast, having guided Newcastle to their first trophy in 70 years around 18 months ago.

Should Howe's exit be confirmed as expected, his final game in charge of the Magpies will have been Wednesday night's 4-1 friendly defeat to the Robins in south Bristol.

Michael Skubala's side secured their second win of pre-season, after last weekend's victory over Swindon Town, as goals from Sam Greenwood, Lorent Tolaj and Max Bird - as well as a Sven Botman own-goal - proved the difference between the two teams.

Greenwood gave the Reds the lead midway through the first half when he curled a free-kick home, via the underside of the crossbar, having been fouled on the edge of the area. Within three minutes, that advantage was doubled as Tolaj got the better of Botman before finishing low into the bottom left corner.

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Early in the second half, Bird then put City in complete control. The midfielder drove a left-footed finish low into the back of the net after he was threaded behind the Newcastle defence by a clever Jason Knight pass.

After a slew of changes for both sides, Howe's side threatened to take the shine off what was otherwise the perfect evening for the Robins when Harvey Barnes beat Sam Tickle with a little under a quarter of an hour to play. However, the Reds' three-goal cushion was restored before the final whistle when Botman turned substitute Sam Bell's cross into his own net.

The final scoreline perhaps flattered City ever so slightly, something Howe himself noted when he spoke to Newcastle's media team after the full-time whistle. Ultimately, though, it looks as if the loss in BS3 will be his last as the Magpies boss.

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Ornstein's report suggests that the situation between Howe and the Premier League side is 'amicable,' with Newcastle said to be well prepared for his exit. The early name linked with a move to St James' Park is Matthias Jaissle.

The former Red Bull Salzburg boss has spent the last three years in Saudi Arabia with Pro League side Al Ahli. The 38-year-old has led the Middle Eastern outfit - who, like Newcastle, are primarily owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - to consecutive Asian Champions League titles in the last two seasons.

Newcastle kick off their competitive season in a little under a month's time, when their Premier League campaign gets underway with the visit of Liverpool. For City, the term truly starts next Thursday, with the visit of Walsall in the Carabao Cup.