Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of German tactician Matthias Jaissle as the club's new head coach, stepping into the role after the departure of Eddie Howe. Jaissle has agreed to a four‑year contract with the Magpies, and Newcastle have paid a compensation fee of £9.5 million (approximately €11 million) to Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia, the side he guided to back‑to‑back Asian Champions League titles in the last two seasons. Having arrived in the north‑east over the weekend, Jaissle will make his first appearance at the helm in a pre‑season friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday.
In his introductory remarks, he said, "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.
I have followed the club's journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see. I am incredibly excited about the future. I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking.
There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on." Jaissle arrives with a distinguished résumé. Before his successful spell in Saudi Arabia, he spent time at Red Bull Salzburg, where he captured two Austrian Bundesliga crowns and a domestic cup, and famously steered the Austrian side into the UEFA Champions League knockout phase for the first time in its history.
Earlier still, he earned a double with Salzburg in his debut season as head coach and retained the league title the following year, working with emerging talents such as Karim Adeyemi and Benjamin Šeško. His time at Al Ahli was equally impressive. In three seasons he lifted the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong, and his side dominated the Asian Champions League, winning the competition in consecutive years.
The German’s reputation for developing young players, building high‑intensity, pressing teams and aligning with long‑term club objectives made him the standout candidate after a "thorough, rigorous and confidential" recruitment process, according to Newcastle officials. Club CEO David Hopkinson praised Jaissle, stating, "His track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United." The club highlighted Jaissle’s ability to foster a high‑tempo, aggressive style of play – qualities that mirror the expectations of the Newcastle fan base. Speaking to the club’s website, Jaissle reflected on the hiring process and the challenges ahead: "Those were stressful days, but they are behind us now. There were honest conversations with the decision‑makers at Newcastle and, overall, there is only excitement.
Joining this marvellous club, with this fan base, is something special and a privilege. The Premier League is special in itself, but joining this club is even more special. With that fan base, with that passion the supporters show for the club, it's really interesting to be part of it. It comes as a big privilege, but with big responsibility too.
I will do my best to live up to it." Jaissle also addressed the immediate task of preparing the squad for the upcoming fixtures, particularly the high‑profile clash with Liverpool. He said, "The timing is not easy, it's a challenge but we've told the staff we need to really engage and use these three weeks before Liverpool in the best possible way.
Control the controllables and if everyone is pulling in the same direction – players, staff and fans – it's going to be a really interesting and successful season." His footballing philosophy is succinctly summed up as "front‑footed, aggressive, vertical" – a style he believes dovetails perfectly with Newcastle’s traditions. He added, "I have always valued three core principles: trust, respect and pure commitment. Those are the values I bring and have discussed with the staff." Jaissle’s own playing career was modest; he featured for Hoffenheim before turning to coaching, with early roles in Denmark and a stint in the Red Bull Salzburg academy. His first senior managerial position was with FC Liefering, the feeder club for Salzburg, before being promoted to the senior Salzburg job in the summer of 2021.
Beyond the headlines, Jaissle has been an articulate voice on the future of football. In a previous interview with Sky Sports for the "Future of Football" series, he outlined his ideas on player development, tactical evolution and the importance of mental resilience in modern sport. Those insights, along with a deeper look at his inspirations and coaching influences, are available in a full feature on Sky Sports' website. As Newcastle prepares for the new season, the club’s hierarchy and supporters alike are hopeful that Jaissle’s blend of European experience, success in Asia, and commitment to an attacking, high‑energy brand of football will usher in a period of sustained competitiveness in the Premier League.
The upcoming friendly against Valencia will offer a first glimpse of how his ideas translate on the pitch, while the league campaign will test his ability to manage expectations, develop talent and deliver results in one of the world’s most demanding football environments. Fans can stay updated on Jaissle’s progress, team news and transfer activity through Sky Sports' various platforms, including the Sky Sports App, WhatsApp updates and the club’s official communications.
The excitement surrounding the appointment underscores Newcastle’s ambition to build on recent growth and to challenge for higher league positions under a coach who embodies both ambition and a clear, forward‑thinking footballing vision.