Newcastle appoint Matthias Jaissle as new head coach after Eddie Howe exit

Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach, with the German manager signing a four-year contract at St James’ Park following the departure of Eddie Howe.

The Magpies paid £9.5 million (€11m) in compensation to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli to secure Jaissle’s services after he guided the club to back-to-back AFC Champions League titles over the past two seasons.

The 38-year-old has already joined the Newcastle squad and will take charge of his first match on Saturday, when the club faces Valencia in a pre-season friendly at the Mestalla.

“When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice,” Jaissle said after his appointment.

“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 Newcastle’s progress closely in recent years and the direction of the project is clear.”

Before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023, Jaissle enjoyed major success with Red Bull Salzburg, winning two Austrian Bundesliga titles and a domestic cup, while also leading the club to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages for the first time in its history. He previously worked with talents such as Karim Adeyemi and Benjamin Sesko, earning a reputation for developing young players and building high-intensity teams.

Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson described Jaissle as the standout candidate following what the club called a “thorough, rigorous and confidential” recruitment process.

“His track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United,” Hopkinson said.

Jaissle also outlined the football identity he intends to bring to Tyneside.

“My football is front-footed, aggressive and vertical in its approach. I believe that is a perfect fit for Newcastle,” he explained. “The values that have always guided me are trust, respect and total commitment.”

The appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Newcastle after Eddie Howe’s departure, and Jaissle faces the challenge of preparing the squad for the Premier League season in a limited time frame. The Magpies open their campaign against Liverpool, giving the new manager only a few weeks to implement his ideas and integrate with the squad.

Jaissle arrives with growing international recognition and a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young coaches. Newcastle supporters will hope his attacking philosophy and proven ability to build successful teams can help the club continue its rise both domestically and in European competition.