Newcastle United are poised to reveal that Matthias Jaissle will take over the reins as head coach on Saturday, after the club officially confirmed the exit of Eddie Howe. According to Sky Sports News, the Magpies have reached an agreement to pay a compensation package of roughly £9.5 million (about €11 million) to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, the club that currently holds Jaissle's registration. The German, who previously enjoyed a successful spell at Red Bull Salzburg, is set to sign a four‑year deal that will keep him at St James' Park until at least 2028. The plan is for the 38‑year‑old coach to join his new squad in Spain on Saturday, where Newcastle are holding a pre‑season training camp in the coastal town of La Manga.
This will give Jaissle his first opportunity to meet the players, assess the squad and begin to implement his tactical ideas ahead of the upcoming summer fixtures. His debut in charge will be a friendly match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium the following Saturday, a game that will serve as a useful barometer for the new manager's approach and the team's readiness for the new campaign. Jaissle's appointment follows a rapid sequence of events that began with the club’s formal announcement on Friday that Eddie Howe had decided to step down.
The statement was released a day after Sky Sports News broke the news of Howe's impending departure, and the club delayed publishing Howe's own farewell message until it could confirm that the Jaissle deal was sealed. This careful timing ensured a smooth transition and gave both parties ample time to finalize the contractual details. Howe, 48, left Newcastle having delivered a historic period for the club.
He guided the Magpies to their first major domestic trophy in 70 years by winning the Carabao Cup in 2025, and he also oversaw two successive qualifications for the UEFA Champions League, achievements that elevated Newcastle’s status on the European stage. In a heartfelt statement of 547 words, Howe explained his decision to step away, describing his tenure as "the privilege of my lifetime" and emphasizing the need for personal reflection and a break after nearly five years of intense dedication. He wrote, "After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United. After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break." Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson echoed the club’s gratitude, stating that Howe and his staff would forever hold a place of respect in the club’s history.
Hopkinson added, "While we are naturally disappointed to see Eddie leave, we remain immensely thankful for everything he has done for the club. On behalf of our owners, board, players, staff and supporters, I would like to extend sincere thanks to Eddie for his outstanding service and leadership, and wish him and his family every success and happiness for the future." The coaching staff that will accompany Howe out of St James' Park includes assistants Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, as well as head of performance Dan Hodges. Their departure marks the end of an era, and their collective experience will be missed as Newcastle look to build a new identity under Jaissle.
The transition has already prompted reactions from the squad. Captain Bruno Guimarães, who has been a key figure under Howe, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, dubbing Howe the "king of this club" and thanking him for the personal and professional growth he experienced.
Guimarães wrote, "King of this club!! 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 I can say will really say how much I enjoyed being your player. Wish you all the very best in your future, gaffer." Off the pitch, Newcastle continue to be active in the transfer market. The club has reached an agreement in principle with Portuguese side Braga for the signing of Czech goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček.
Newcastle intend to trigger his €30 million release clause, a fee of about £25.7 million, and are currently negotiating payment terms. Horníček, 24, has been granted permission to travel for a medical, and his arrival would mark the fifth summer signing, pushing the club’s total summer spend to roughly £140 million. Jaissle arrives with a reputation for developing young talent and implementing a high‑pressing, possession‑based style, hallmarks of the Red Bull football philosophy.
At Salzburg, he guided the team to multiple Austrian Bundesliga titles and deep runs in European competition, earning praise for his tactical flexibility and ability to nurture future stars. Newcastle fans will be eager to see how he adapts his methods to the Premier League’s physical demands and whether he can sustain the momentum built by Howe.
The upcoming pre‑season schedule will be crucial for Jaissle to test his ideas. After the Valencia friendly, Newcastle have arranged a series of matches against other Spanish and English sides, providing a platform for the new manager to experiment with formations, integrate new signings like Horníček, and assess the fitness of key players ahead of the 2024‑25 campaign. The club’s leadership has expressed confidence that Jaissle’s fresh perspective will complement the existing squad’s strengths while addressing areas that need improvement, such as defensive solidity and goal‑scoring consistency.
In summary, Newcastle United stand at a pivotal juncture. The departure of Eddie Howe marks the close of a successful chapter, while the arrival of Matthias Jaissle signals a new direction aimed at consolidating the club’s recent achievements and pushing further in both domestic and European competitions. With a clear plan for the pre‑season, a significant investment in the goalkeeper position, and a manager known for progressive football, the Magpies are poised to embark on an ambitious next season, hoping to satisfy a passionate fan base eager for sustained success.