Stuart Pearce fears Eddie Howe’s shock exit coupled with multiple high-profile departures could leave Newcastle flirting with relegation.talkSPORT understands Howe is set to leave his post after almost five years at the helm and only weeks before the new Premier League campaign, with Al-Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle lined up as his replacement.Howe had already told Toon chiefs he wanted a break before news of his exit brokeGettyUnfortunately for Jaissle, he won’t have star duo Anthony Gordon or Sandro Tonali at his disposal.Gordon was snapped up by Barcelona for £70million while Tonali headed to Tottenham in a club record £100m switch.The summer exits may not be done there though, as talkSPORT understands Arsenal are in advanced talks with Newcastle over skipper Bruno Guimaraes.Although a deal is some way off completion, progress has been made on a verbal agreement north of £75m.With the string of outgoings at St James’ Park along with Guimaraes’ uncertain future, Pearce believes Newcastle are ‘closer to going down’ than they are to winning the league.Pearce: Premier League ‘needs’ Newcastle“If you asked me that question [potential relegation battle] a year ago, I would have said they’re a top of the Premier League, European side that look as though they’re growing,” Pearce said on talkSPORT Breakfast.“Ask me the question now and I would say they look like a mid-table Premier League side that if they’re not careful and they keep losing players and there’s a downturn, they could flirt with relegation.“That’s how fragile the Premier League is, and it’s a travesty because I’ve played there in front of their supporters and they’re just incredible up there.“I was delighted when Eddie went in to give the club a lift and see Newcastle on the rise because I remember the great days with Kevin [Keegan] there and beyond that and when Bobby [Robson] went there as well.“As I say, it’s a club synonymous with great things and great football and the Premier League needs a big Newcastle United.”Howe delivered Newcastle’s first trophy in 70 years by winning the Carabao Cup in 2025GettyPearce added: “I find it quite sad, I think Newcastle have lost an outstanding manager, I fear for them a little bit for nextyear.“And to be fair, they’re probably closer to going down today than they are winning the Premier League.”Newcastle fan and former England cricketer Steve Harmison, who now commentates on the club’s matches for talkSPORT, echoed a similar sentiment to Pearce regarding his fears for the club’s future.‘Careful what you wish for’“It doesn’t surprise me that [Howe] left,” Harmison told talkSPORT hosts Adam Catterall and Darragh McAnthony.“It looks like Bruno’s going, it wouldn’t surprise me if [Lewis] Hall goes or [Tino] Livramento.“I fear for where my club is going, because the chief executive says we want to be the best team in Europe by 2030.The Magpies could find themselves in a relegation scrap if they’re not carefulGetty“If we’re not careful, we might be the best team in the Championship by 2030. That is the sad case of what potentially [could happen because of] Eddie Howe leaving. “The thing I said last year, the grass isn’t always greener, be careful for what you wish for, because you’ve got no idea, I think, how good we had it. Time is going to tell whether that’s right or wrong.”When was Newcastle last in the Championship?Newcastle last featured in the Championship during the 2016/17 campaign having finished 18th in the Premier League the season before.The Magpies secured an instant return though as they came first in the second tier, pipping Brighton to the title by one point.Following promotion, Newcastle enjoyed a string of mid-table finishes in the Premier League before Howe guided them to 4th in the 2022/23 season.However, Howe struggled to deal with a Champions League campaign in addition to the Premier League both times when they qualified for Europe’s premier club competition.Howe leaves the Magpies after they finished 12th, their lowest placing in the Premier League throughout his tenure.