Matthias Jaissle appointed! - “When Newcastle comes your way, you take notice"
A new era at Newcastle United is officially here.
After it was announced last week that Eddie Howe had stepped down from his position at the club following almost five years at the helm, a fresh face has taken the hot seat at St James' Park.
That man is Matthias Jaissle, who has now been officially unveiled as Newcastle United's new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 38-year-old German arrives from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, where he won back-to-back Asian Champions Leagues after a successful stint with Austrian giants RB Salzburg.
Jaissle's first words
Jaissle's arrival has been the worst-kept secret over the past week, with news of his official appointment delayed due to a paperwork issue on the Saudi side.
But he's now here, taking charge of our training camp in La Manga, and spoke with real pride and positivity during his first interview as the new Newcastle boss, saying:
“It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United. This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.
“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.
“My teams are built on togetherness, hard work, intensity and a passion to improve every single day. I will bring full commitment, full energy and a determination to give everything I have to help this club achieve its ambitions.
“I believe there is enormous potential within this squad and throughout the football club. I am excited to work with the players, staff and leadership team to help take the club forward.
"I cannot wait to get started and will attack this opportunity. I give my complete commitment and total energy to bringing further success to Newcastle United."
Hopkinson and Wilson reacts to new boss
CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson have also had their say on the appointment, praising his early success, leadership and drive to improve this new-look Newcastle side.
Speaking to the club's website, Hopkinson said:
“Matthias is one of the most exciting and highly regarded young coaches in football and I’m thrilled to welcome him to Newcastle United.
“We have conducted a thorough process, and he has emerged as the clear candidate for the role. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for.
“His track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United. We believe he is the right person to lead the club into the next phase of our journey.”
Wilson also hailed his high-energy football and the passion he'll bring to the role, alongside his ability to improve players.
“Matthias’ leadership style and football philosophy are strongly aligned with our sporting vision. His teams play high-energy football and we could feel his passion during all of our discussions throughout the recruitment process.
“He has consistently demonstrated an ability to improve players, build cohesive teams and create elite performance environments in his coaching career.
“His successes at Salzburg and Al-Ahli underline his ability to deliver results while developing a clear football identity. We believe he is uniquely positioned to build on the strong foundations already in place and help take Newcastle United forward.”
Willkommen, boss!
