Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of German tactician Matthias Jaissle as the club's new head coach, stepping into the role after Eddie Howe's departure. Jaissle has agreed to a four‑year contract, and Newcastle have settled a compensation package of £9.5 million (approximately €11 million) with Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, the club he guided to back‑to‑back Asian Champions League titles in the last two seasons.
Having arrived in Newcastle over the weekend, Jaissle will make his debut in charge during a pre‑season friendly against Valencia at the iconic Mestalla stadium 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's résumé is impressive.
Prior to his successful spell in Saudi Arabia, he enjoyed a prolific period in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg, where he captured two Austrian Bundesliga crowns and a domestic cup, and led the team to the UEFA Champions League knockout phase for the first time in the club's history. His earlier coaching career also includes a stint in Denmark and a developmental role within the Red Bull Salzburg academy, after a playing career that saw him turn out for Hoffenheim. Newcastle's recruitment process was described by the club as "thorough, rigorous and confidential," and Jaissle emerged as the standout candidate because of his proven ability to nurture young talent, construct high‑intensity, attacking sides, and align with the long‑term objectives set by the club's hierarchy.
Club chief executive David Hopkinson praised him, stating, "His track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United." Speaking on the official Newcastle website, Jaissle reflected on the transition: "Those were stressful days, but they're behind us now. There were very honest conversations with the decision‑makers at Newcastle, and overall the feeling is one of excitement.
Joining this marvelous club, with this fan base, is something special and a privilege. The Premier League is special in its own right, but being part of Newcastle, with its passionate supporters, makes it even more extraordinary. It is a great privilege, but also a big responsibility, and I will do my utmost to live up to it." He also addressed the immediate challenges ahead, noting the importance of the three‑week window before the club's upcoming clash with Liverpool: "The timing is not easy, it's a challenge, but we've told the staff we need to engage fully and use these weeks in the best possible way.
Control the controllables and if everyone pulls in the same direction – players, staff and fans – it will be an interesting and successful season." Jaissle outlined his footballing philosophy, describing it as "front‑footed, aggressive, vertical," and asserting that this style dovetails perfectly with Newcastle's traditions. He highlighted three core values that have guided his career: trust, respect and pure commitment. "My football is front‑footed, aggressive, vertical in our approach – I think that's a perfect fit to Newcastle, and we've just talked to the staff members about the three values I have always had: trust, respect and pure commitment," he said. At 38, Jaissle brings a blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience.
After hanging up his boots, he began coaching in the Red Bull system, first taking charge of FC Liefering, the feeder club for Salzburg. He was promoted to the senior Salzburg job in the summer of 2021, where he immediately won the domestic double and repeated the league triumph the following season. During his tenure he oversaw the development of talents such as Karim Adeyemi and Benjamin Šeško, both of whom featured prominently in Salzburg's historic Champions League run. In 2023, Jaissle moved to the Saudi Pro League, accepting the head‑coach position at Al Ahli.
Over three seasons he secured the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong and added two Asian Champions League trophies to his cabinet, cementing his reputation as a manager capable of delivering silverware in diverse environments. Beyond the trophies, Jaissle has been vocal about his ideas on the future of football. In a prior interview for Sky Sports' "Future of Football" series, he discussed tactical evolution, the importance of data‑driven analysis, and the role of youth academies in sustaining club success. Those insights, combined with his pragmatic yet ambitious approach, suggest he will aim to blend Newcastle's traditional attacking ethos with modern, high‑pressing principles.
As the Magpies prepare for the new campaign, fans can look forward to a fresh chapter under Jaissle's stewardship. The club hopes his experience in building winning cultures abroad will translate into domestic progress, potentially challenging for European spots and re‑establishing Newcastle as a force in English football. The upcoming pre‑season fixture against Valencia will offer a first glimpse of his tactical setup, and the broader community eagerly anticipates how his philosophy will shape the team's identity in the months and years ahead. For continuous updates on Newcastle United, including transfer news, match previews and exclusive content, follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp and download the Sky Sports app.