Looking at Matthias Jaissle, the new Newcastle United head coach

Newcastle United have announced Matthias Jaissle as the successor to Eddie Howe. The 38-year-old German manager has joined the Tyneside outfit from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli on a long-term contract set to run until June 2030. Newcastle also paid Al-Ahli a reported compensation package of £9.5 million for him. 

Howe had a successful five-year tenure at St James’ Park, helping Newcastle win a trophy (the League Cup in 2024/25) after four decades as well as qualify for the Champions League twice.

However, last season was a disappointing one. Newcastle ended the season 12th in the Premier League table, well outside the European spots, and also got humiliated 8–3 on aggregate by Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16. Although the club hierarchy still showed support for Howe, the Englishman decided to step down amid further conflict over the sale of key players, leaving his post and paving the way for Jaissle’s arrival.

Here, we look at Jaissle’s playing and coaching careers, his tactics and philosophy, and what can be expected from him in his first season in charge of the Magpies.

Playing career

As a player, Matthias Jaissle operated at centre-back. He started his career as a youth player for TSV Neckartailfingen, transferring to VfB Stuttgart’s youth academy in 2001. It was here that he spent his major developmental years before moving to TSG Hoffenheim in 2007.

Jaissle won the Bundesliga U17 title in 2003/04 with Stuttgart. He also helped Hoffenheim win back-to-back promotions, eventually reaching 1. Bundesliga, the German top flight.

Unfortunately, Jaissle had to retire at the age of 25 due to persistently severe knee injuries, bringing the curtain down on a short professional career. He made just one appearance for Germany at U21 level, which came in 2009.

Coaching career

Jaissle started his coaching career at Danish outfit Brøndby as an assistant coach in April 2017. His first big coaching job came at FC Liefering in 2021 after the departure of Bo Svensson. Liefering are the reserve team for Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.

The next season saw him succeed outgoing coach Jesse Marsch at RB Salzburg. Here he plied his trade for two seasons, helping them clinch a domestic double in his first season as well as reach the UEFA Champions League knockouts for the first time. He then helped them successfully defend the league title the following season.

His last coaching job arrived at the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, where he tenured for three seasons before joining Newcastle. He led Al-Ahli to the AFC Champions League title (2024/25) in his second season, while also winning the Saudi Super Cup. In May 2026, he won the AFC Champions League again, defeating Japanese side Machida Zelvia 1–0 in the final, thereby becoming the first manager to win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles.

Tactics and philosophy

Jaissle has quickly risen through the ranks as a highly well-regarded coach and is known for playing an attractive and aggressive brand of football. Influenced by the likes of Jürgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola, and Roberto De Zerbi, he doesn’t believe in a particular formation and goes for flexibility depending on the opposition and the tactics.

In Austria, Jaissle used to field a 4-4-2 formation, which converted into a 4-3-1-2 out of possession. This enabled his team to maintain defensive solidity while also leading to rapid ball progression in case of turnovers high up the pitch. In general, his teams are known to be front-footed, aggressive, high-pressing sides.

At Al-Ahli, his team would predominantly play a 4-2-3-1 formation but moved into a 3-2-5 out of possession. Evidently, Jaissle hasn’t been stubborn when it comes to formations and is a highly adaptable coach. He worked with some high-quality players at Al-Ahli, while he is also known to be good with young players, having developed a number of talents at Salzburg like Brenden Aaronson, Noah Okafor, Benjamin Sesko, and Karim Adeyemi.

What to expect from Jaissle?

Looking at his coaching career so far, Matthias Jaissle seems like a decent appointment for Newcastle United. With Eddie Howe and his nucleus of key players like Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães departing, Jaissle has on his hands a major rebuilding job at St James’ Park.

Though he is another young coach like Howe, he is a very animated character on the sidelines and could ruffle a few feathers. I believe he is exactly the kind of personality that could be accepted by the passionate Newcastle faithful as one of their own. However, the fans will need to keep faith and have patience, as the young German will need time amid a major squad overhaul.

There is no doubt that Newcastle United will be in a transitional phase this season, with new players replacing the outgoing stars. Jaissle could bring aggressive, high-energy, and entertaining football back to Tyneside if he is supported well by the club. Although the Premier League is a huge step-up for him, he has demonstrated a consistently winning mentality while managing young players at RB Salzburg as well as superstars at Al-Ahli.

With a lack of availability of top managerial options, this could prove to be a shrewd appointment by Newcastle. Jaissle’s first priority will be to help the team finish in the top half of the league table and hopefully claim a European spot next season, but to make that happen, he will need strong backing from the club in the transfer market.