Newcastle United are poised to confirm the appointment of Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach on Saturday, after the club officially confirmed the exit of Eddie Howe. According to Sky Sports News, Newcastle have reached an agreement to pay a compensation package of roughly £9.5 million (about €11 million) to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in order to secure Jaissle's services.
The 38-year-old German, who previously enjoyed a successful spell at Red Bull Salzburg, will sign a four‑year deal that will keep him at St James' Park until at least 2028. The club has arranged for Jaissle to join the squad at their pre‑season training camp in La Manga, Spain, on Saturday.
This will give the new manager a chance to meet his players, assess the squad and begin implementing his tactical ideas before the start of the new campaign. His first assignment as Newcastle boss will be a friendly match against Valencia at the Mestalla on the following Saturday, providing a useful early test of his approach against a strong Spanish side. Jaissle's arrival comes just days after Newcastle publicly announced that Eddie Howe would be stepping down.
The club delayed the official statement about Howe's departure until it could confirm that the Jaissle deal was finalised, ensuring a smooth transition at the helm. Howe, who turned 48 this year, confirmed his resignation in a heartfelt statement that highlighted his deep emotional connection to the club, the city and its supporters.
He recalled leading the Magpies to break a 70‑year domestic trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup in 2025 and guiding them to two consecutive Champions League qualifications. In his farewell message, Howe 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." He went on to describe his tenure as "the privilege of my lifetime" and expressed gratitude for the support of the fans, the city and his family. Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson echoed these sentiments, thanking Howe and his staff for their extraordinary contribution and acknowledging the deep respect they have earned across the organisation.
Hopkinson added that while the club is disappointed to see Howe leave, they remain immensely grateful for the foundations he laid and wish him and his family every success in 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 for the coaching team that helped transform Newcastle from a mid‑table side into regular European contenders.
In the wake of Howe's departure, Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães took to Instagram to pay tribute, calling his former manager "the king of this club". Guimarães posted a photo of Howe with the caption: "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." The tribute underscored the strong bond between the squad and the outgoing manager. The timing of Howe's exit also coincides with growing interest from Arsenal in Guimarães, adding another layer of intrigue to Newcastle's summer narrative.
Meanwhile, the club is also close to sealing a deal for Czech goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček from Braga. Newcastle have agreed in principle to trigger Horníček's €30 million release clause, and are currently negotiating payment terms with the Portuguese side.
The 24‑year‑old has been granted permission to travel for a medical, and his signing would represent Newcastle's fifth major acquisition of the summer, pushing total spending to approximately £140 million. Jaissle arrives at a pivotal moment for Newcastle. The club has invested heavily in its playing staff, and the new manager will be expected to translate that financial commitment into consistent on‑field performance. His background at Red Bull Salzburg, where he implemented a high‑pressing, possession‑based style, suggests he may seek to further develop the team's attacking dynamism while maintaining defensive solidity.
The four‑year contract indicates that the board sees him as a long‑term project, giving him the time to shape the squad according to his philosophy. Fans can look forward to a pre‑season schedule that includes the Valencia friendly, as well as other matches designed to fine‑tune tactics and integrate new signings. The club's management has stressed the importance of a seamless handover, hoping that Jaissle's early interaction with the players in Spain will lay the groundwork for a successful 2024‑25 campaign. Off the pitch, Newcastle continue to expand their digital outreach, encouraging supporters to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, videos, features and analysis.
The club also advises fans to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience on their platforms. In summary, Newcastle United are set to usher in a new chapter under Matthias Jaissle, following Eddie Howe's emotionally charged departure. The club has secured a substantial compensation deal to bring Jaissle from Al Ahli, signed him to a four‑year contract, and arranged his first encounter with the squad at the La Manga training camp. As the Magpies prepare for a pre‑season friendly against Valencia and continue to negotiate key transfers like Lukáš Horníček, the stage is set for a transformative summer that could shape the club's fortunes for years to come.