Newcastle United has appointed Matthias Jaissle, 38, as its new head coach, succeeding Eddie Howe. Jaissle takes over a club that finished 12th in the domestic league last season, a campaign marked by the departure of key players like Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Gordon. The club is also anticipating the departure of captain Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal.
Jaissle's mandate is to initiate a new cycle for the team, focusing on player development and aiming to outperform clubs with larger wage budgets. His predecessor, Eddie Howe, had led Newcastle to an EFL Cup victory in 2025 and multiple Champions League qualifications after taking over a side in relegation trouble.
Sources familiar with Jaissle's coaching methods indicate he is a demanding manager who emphasizes high intensity in training. "He's not afraid to address things head-on," said former Salzburg midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic, who played under Jaissle. "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."
Jaissle joins Newcastle with a coaching staff and analysts who are expected to quickly implement his strategies. Al-Ahli defender Merih Demiral noted the positive impact of Jaissle's team, stating, "Looking forward to going to training every day was so important. They paid great attention to every detail and always made sure we were fully prepared."
The new head coach will work with a squad that has seen its average age decrease significantly this summer. However, experienced players such as Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are expected to provide leadership in the dressing room. Jaissle, a former defender, was known for challenging his players, as he did with Junuzovic, urging him to improve to earn a place in the starting lineup. "He understands the players' language," Junuzovic added.