Matthias Jaissle has been confirmed as Newcastle United’s new head coach, signing a four-year deal with the club until 2030. The German, who has never coached in the Premier League before, faces the task of succeeding Eddie Howe after his decision to step down. A source described the challenge facing Jaissle, saying it ‘won’t be easy to succeed Eddie’.
Jaissle delivered success in Saudi Arabia and Austria with Al-Ahli and Red Bull Salzburg respectively, but this marks his first experience in one of Europe’s top five leagues. At 38, he becomes the Premier League’s second-youngest current head coach. His first competitive game in charge will be against Liverpool on Sunday, 23 August. Jaissle arrived at Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in Spain at the weekend, with his appointment formally announced on Wednesday. A source said he will try to understand the culture and what Newcastle means to the community as soon as possible.
Howe’s legacy and a squad in transition
Howe took charge of a Newcastle side in relegation trouble, kept them up, and went on to end the club’s long wait for silverware by winning the EFL Cup in 2025. He also qualified for the Champions League on multiple occasions. However, last season was difficult domestically, with Newcastle finishing 12th. Howe watched Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon leave within a year, and Newcastle are set to lose a fourth key player, with captain Bruno Guimaraes heading to Arsenal.
Newcastle’s squad should expect Jaissle to be just as demanding as Howe in training. Former Salzburg midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic said Jaissle used small-sided games to keep intensity high and would call out players who were not giving their all. Jaissle also brings a group of coaches and analysts who will look to quickly get his message across. Al-Ahli defender Merih Demiral said Jaissle had ‘built a really strong team around him’ who played a huge role in the club’s success. Jaissle, a former Hoffenheim defender, will work with a squad whose average age has dropped significantly this summer, while relying on experienced players such as Dan Burn and Fabian Schar.
Trophies at Salzburg and Al-Ahli
Red Bull Salzburg have not won the league since Jaissle departed following his second successive title three years ago. The Austrian club have also not reached the Champions League knockout stage since doing so for the first time under Jaissle in 2022, despite being beaten 8-1 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the last 16. At Al-Ahli, Jaissle adapted to a different profile of player and won back-to-back Asian Champions League titles, with the side conceding fewer goals than any other team in the Saudi Pro League last season.
Demiral said Jaissle’s mentality stood out, adding that he never lost belief even when his side were losing by two or three goals. Tactically, Jaissle primarily uses a high-pressing 4-4-2 when opponents build from the back, and his teams have shown an ability to transition into a high press as a collective. Howe’s defensive approach is considered well aligned with the Red Bull pressing style, which could help players adapt to Jaissle’s methods. Howe was criticised late in his tenure for a perceived lack of adaptability, an area in which Jaissle showed development at Al-Ahli by adjusting his approach to different players while keeping his core principles.
