Matthias Jaissle has been appointed Newcastle United head coach after signing a four-year deal with the club until 2030. The German takes charge having previously delivered success with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, though this will be his first experience managing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
In the statement confirming his appointment on Wednesday, Jaissle described it as an “incredible honour” to become head coach of “one of the biggest clubs in European football”. He outlined his coaching philosophy clearly: “My teams are built on togetherness, hard work, intensity and a passion to improve every single day. I believe there is enormous potential within this squad and throughout the football club.”
Those who have worked with Jaissle speak highly of his demanding standards. Former Salzburg midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic recalled his methods: “We did lots of small-sided games to keep the intensity high and if someone had not been giving it their all, he called them out on it. He’s not afraid to address things head-on.” Al-Ahli defender Merih Demiral added that Jaissle “built a really strong team around him” and that his staff “paid great attention to every detail and always made sure we were fully prepared”.
Jaissle arrives with his own group of coaches and analysts as he looks to quickly embed his ideas into the squad. One source acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying it “won’t be easy” to succeed Eddie Howe, who stepped down before the appointment was made.
Newcastle’s players will already be familiar with similar principles from their time under Howe, while the club’s squad average age has dropped significantly this summer, with new young signings also eager to absorb Jaissle’s methods as he begins a new cycle at the club.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
