Newcastle United are poised to unveil Matthias Jaissle as their new manager on Saturday, after the club confirmed the exit of Eddie Howe. According to Sky Sports News, the Magpies have reached an agreement to pay a compensation fee of £9.5 million (approximately €11 million) to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli for releasing Jaissle from his contract. The German coach, who previously guided Red Bull Salzburg to domestic success and European competition, will be offered a four‑year deal to take charge at St James' Park. The plan is for the 38‑year‑old to join his new squad in Spain on Saturday, where Newcastle will be holding a pre‑season training camp in La Manga.
This meeting will give Jaissle his first opportunity to assess the squad, introduce his ideas and begin building relationships with the players and staff. His inaugural match as manager is scheduled for the following Saturday, when Newcastle will face Valencia in a friendly at the Mestalla stadium.
Jaissle's appointment comes on the heels of an official announcement that Eddie Howe would be stepping down. The club released a statement on Friday confirming Howe's decision, a day after Sky Sports had reported the news.
The timing of Howe's public statement was deliberately delayed to allow Newcastle to finalise the terms of Jaissle's contract and ensure a smooth transition. Howe, 48, left the club after a highly successful five‑year spell that saw the Magpies break a 70‑year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup in 2025 and securing two Champions League qualifications.
In his farewell note, Howe described his tenure as "the privilege of my life" and explained that after a period of personal reflection he felt it was the right moment to step away, recharge and take a break. He wrote, "After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul to the club with unrelenting energy, I believe it is in the best interests of both myself and Newcastle to step aside." Howe's heartfelt 547‑word statement reflected on the highs and lows of his time in the north‑east, emphasizing the deep bond he feels with the city, the supporters and the club. He added that the experience had been "the privilege of my lifetime" and that the memories created would be cherished forever. Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson echoed these sentiments, thanking Howe and his staff for their extraordinary contribution and wishing them all the best for the future.
The coaching team that will depart alongside Howe includes Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, as well as performance director Dan Hodges. Their departure marks the end of an era for the club, and the incoming staff under Jaissle will have the task of building on the foundation that Howe left behind. The news also sparked reactions from players.
Club captain Bruno Guimarães posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, describing Howe as the "king of this club" and thanking him for making him a better player and person. Guimarães' post read, "Thanks for everything you've done for us. I loved enjoying our time together.
Thanks for making me a better player and person! No words can truly express how much I enjoyed being your player.
Wish you all the very best in your future, gaffer." While the managerial change dominates headlines, Newcastle are also active in the transfer market. The club has reached an agreement in principle with Portuguese side Braga for the acquisition of 24‑year‑old Czech goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček. Newcastle intend to trigger his release clause of £25.7 million (€30 million) and are currently negotiating payment terms. Horníček has been cleared to travel for a medical, and the deal would represent the Magpies' fifth signing of the summer, taking total summer spending to around £140 million.
Jaissle arrives at a time when Newcastle are looking to solidify their squad for a competitive campaign in the Premier League and the Champions League. His experience in the Austrian Bundesliga, where he implemented a high‑pressing, possession‑based style, could suit Newcastle's ambitions to play attractive football while maintaining defensive solidity. The German's background in developing young talent may also align with the club's desire to nurture promising players such as Guimarães, Alexander Isak and the newly signed Horníček.
The upcoming pre‑season fixtures will be crucial for Jaissle to test his tactics. After the Valencia friendly, Newcastle are expected to face other Spanish sides and possibly a domestic opponent before the start of the 2024‑25 season.
These matches will provide a platform for the new manager to evaluate the squad depth, experiment with formations, and integrate any new signings. Off the pitch, the club continues to engage fans through digital platforms. Sky Sports encourages supporters to follow their WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, analysis and exclusive content.
The club also promotes the use of the Sky Sports app for an enhanced viewing experience, and recommends using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. In summary, Newcastle United are embarking on a new chapter with Matthias Jaissle at the helm, following Eddie Howe's celebrated tenure. The transition involves a substantial compensation payment, a four‑year contract, and an immediate immersion into pre‑season training in Spain. While the managerial change is the headline, the club's activity in the transfer market, notably the pursuit of goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček, signals an intent to strengthen the squad across the board.
Fans can look forward to a summer of friendly matches that will set the tone for the upcoming season, as Jaissle seeks to build on the foundations laid by Howe and guide Newcastle back into the upper echelons of English and European football.