Newcastle United has officially announced the appointment of Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach, following the departure of Eddie Howe. Jaissle, a German national, has signed a four-year contract with the club after Newcastle paid a compensation fee of £9.5m to Al Ahli, the Saudi side he previously managed.
During his tenure at Al Ahli, Jaissle led the team to consecutive Asian Champions League titles over the past two years. He has been working with the Newcastle squad since the weekend and will make his managerial debut in a pre-season friendly match against Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday. Jaissle expressed his enthusiasm for joining Newcastle, stating, "When an opportunity like Newcastle United arises, it's impossible to ignore.
The club's vision, ambition, and future prospects made this a compelling choice for me. I've been following the club's progress closely and am excited about the future.
I firmly believe in this project and the direction the club is headed. There's a clear vision, strong leadership, and an excellent foundation to build upon." Prior to his successful stint in Saudi Arabia, Jaissle enjoyed a remarkable spell at Red Bull Salzburg, winning two Austrian Bundesliga titles and a domestic cup. He also guided the team to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages for the first time in their history. Newcastle's CEO, David Hopkinson, described Jaissle as the standout candidate after a thorough recruitment process, highlighting his impressive track record of developing players, building high-intensity teams, and aligning with the club's long-term ambitions.
Hopkinson praised Jaissle's leadership qualities and drive to improve, stating, "His success, leadership qualities, and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United." In an interview with the club's website, Jaissle shared his thoughts on joining Newcastle, saying, "It's been a stressful few days, but that's behind us now. I've had open and honest conversations with the decision-makers at Newcastle, and the overall feeling is one of excitement. Joining this fantastic club, with its passionate fan base, is a privilege and an honor.
The Premier League is a unique challenge, but being part of this club makes it even more special. With the fans' passion and support, it's interesting to be a part of this journey. It's a big responsibility, but I'll do my best to live up to it." Jaissle outlined his football philosophy, stating, "My approach is front-footed, aggressive, and vertical. I believe this style is a perfect fit for Newcastle.
I've also shared my core values with the staff: trust, respect, and pure commitment. We need to make the most of the next three weeks before our match against Liverpool and work together as a team – players, staff, and fans – to make this a successful season." The 38-year-old German began his coaching career at Hoffenheim before moving to Denmark and eventually becoming the academy coach at Red Bull Salzburg. His first senior managerial role was at FC Liefering, and he later took charge of Salzburg in 2021. During his time at Salzburg, Jaissle worked with notable players like Karim Adeyemi and Benjamin Sesko, competing in the Champions League.
He then moved to Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in 2023, where he won the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong last year.