July 30 (Reuters) – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has stepped down from his role with immediate effect and will be replaced by Al Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle, British media reported on Thursday. Several British media outlets reported that Howe informed the club of his desire to take a break from the managerial role. Newcastle sold Sweden striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool last year and have since offloaded Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur and England winger Anthony Gordon to Barcelona. Howe’s exit follows a disappointing campaign in which Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League after suffering 17 defeats in 38 matches. German Jaissle’s Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli and Newcastle are both owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.