Matthias Jaissle has been confirmed as the new head coach of Newcastle United, stepping into the role previously held by Eddie Howe. The German, who joins from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, expressed his belief in the club's "clear vision" and "ambition for the future."
Jaissle's arrival marks the culmination of a summer of change for Newcastle. Howe's five-year tenure has concluded, accompanied by the departures of several key players. Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have already left the club earlier in the summer, with club captain Bruno Guimaraes reportedly nearing a £75 million transfer to Arsenal.
"It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United," Jaissle stated. "This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand. When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be."
Jaissle, 38, previously coached Red Bull Salzburg, leading them to two Austrian league titles, before his success with Al-Ahli, where he guided the club to consecutive Asian Champions League triumphs in 2025 and 2026.
Newcastle described Jaissle as "one of Europe's leading young coaches" and the "clear outstanding candidate" following their recruitment process. Ross Wilson, Newcastle's sporting director, noted that Jaissle's "leadership style and football philosophy are strongly aligned with our sporting vision."
"His teams play high-energy football and we could feel his passion during all of our discussions throughout the recruitment process," Wilson added. "He has consistently demonstrated an ability to improve players, build cohesive teams and create elite performance environments in his coaching career. His successes at Salzburg and Al-Ahli underline his ability to deliver results while developing a clear football identity."
Jaissle's first match in charge will be against Valencia on Saturday, concluding Newcastle's training camp in La Manga. He pledged to bring "full commitment, full energy and a determination to give everything I have to help this club achieve its ambitions."
Howe led Newcastle to their first major trophy in 70 years in 2025 and also secured Champions League qualification on two occasions during his tenure. He confirmed his departure from the club in a statement released the previous week.
