Newcastle United have appointed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach, ending the search that followed Eddie Howe’s resignation from St James’ Park. The German has signed a four-year contract, with the club paying £9.5m (€11m) in compensation to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli to secure his release.
Jaissle has already been working with his new squad since the weekend, and his first match in the dugout will come in a pre-season friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla next Saturday.
A swift move after Howe’s exit
Howe’s departure from Newcastle came by way of resignation, according to Sky Sports, bringing an end to his time in charge of the club. Newcastle moved to fill the vacancy through what the club described as a “thorough, rigorous and confidential” recruitment process, at the end of which Jaissle emerged as the standout candidate.
Club CEO David Hopkinson said Jaissle’s “track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve” made him “an exceptional fit for Newcastle United.”
Who is Matthias Jaissle?
The 38-year-old former Hoffenheim player built his coaching reputation through Red Bull’s network, working in Denmark and in an academy role at Red Bull Salzburg before taking his first senior post at FC Liefering. He stepped up to the top job at Salzburg in the summer of 2021, winning a domestic double in his first season and retaining the Austrian Bundesliga title in his second, all while working with Karim Adeyemi and Benjamin Sesko. Under Jaissle, Salzburg also reached the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in the club’s history.
He left for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in 2023 and spent the past three years there, leading the club to consecutive Asian Champions League titles over the last two seasons and winning the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong last year.
Jaissle on joining Newcastle
Speaking after his appointment, Jaissle said the move was one he could not turn down. “When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice,” he said. “The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club’s journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see.”
He added that he backs the project fully: “I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking. There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on.”
In comments carried on the club’s website, Jaissle acknowledged the process behind his arrival hadn’t been straightforward. “They were stressful days, it’s behind us now but there were really good honest conversations with the decision makers at Newcastle – and obviously, overall there is only excitement,” he said. He also pointed to the emotional pull of the job itself: “Joining this marvellous club, with this fan base, is something special and a privilege… With that fan base, with that passion the supporters show for the club, it’s really interesting to be part of it.”
Style, values and the road to Liverpool
Jaissle used his first remarks as head coach to set out how he wants Newcastle to play and what he expects from those around him. “My football is front-footed, aggressive, vertical in our approach – I think that’s a perfect fit to Newcastle,” he said, before outlining the three principles he has carried through his career: “trust, respect and pure commitment.”
With the season opener against Liverpool looming, Jaissle was candid about the tight turnaround. “The timing is not easy, it’s a challenge but we’ve said to the staff members we need to really engage and use these three weeks before Liverpool in the best possible way,” he said. “Control the controllables and if everyone is pulling in the same direction – players, staff and fans – it’s going to be a really interesting and successful season.”
Saturday’s friendly against Valencia will offer the first look at Jaissle’s Newcastle in action, with three weeks of preparation to follow before the Premier League campaign begins.
