Matthias Jaissle’s assistant opens up on Newcastle United battles

Engin Yanova, who has worked alongside Matthias Jaissle at both Newcastle United and Al-Ahli, has opened up on the challenges facing our new coaching staff following a summer of change.

The former Germany U20, U19 and U18 assistant admits we need time to build the team, while also discussing the importance of developing new leaders within the squad.

We need time after busy summer - Yanova

Yanova says the biggest challenge has been getting to know the squad and putting the foundations in place, with the short gap between the coaching staff’s arrival and the start of the Premier League making preparations difficult.

Speaking to Turkish outlet Sabah, the 49-year-old said: 

“For us, the most important thing right now is time; we need time, but the Premier League doesn’t give you any. You have to deliver results every single week.

“We were aware of the departures, but we joined the team a bit late. We didn’t get to have the kind of pre-season we would have liked. The Premier League began just two weeks after our arrival.

“We’re currently in the process of getting to know the squad, and I believe we are making good progress. The team has become much younger – the average age is quite low – but we view this as an opportunity.

“The players brought in have real quality; we are now working to develop them within a solid framework and a clear strategy.”

It is an interesting admission given the scale of the changes over the summer, both in terms of the players who departed and those who arrived.

With a younger squad and a new coaching team still getting to know the players, Yanova clearly believes this is a process that will take time. However, as he acknowledges, results are expected every week in the Premier League.

Yanova addresses leadership concerns

Another challenge has been the loss of some experienced figures around the squad. We said goodbye to Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier over the summer, while Jamaal Lascelles also departed earlier this year.

Yanova insists we still have experienced players capable of helping the younger members of the squad, pointing to Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Yoane Wissa.

“We do have experienced players, such as Dan Burn and Fabian Schar, as well as an experienced centre-forward (Yoane Wissa).”

He also believes leadership is not simply about age or experience, highlighting two different ways players can influence a dressing room, while citing Lewis Hall as someone who always leads by example. 

“There are two types of leaders: those who lead through their performance and those who lead through their character. Take Lewis Hall, for example.

“He has just received another call-up to his national team. Despite his young age, he takes on responsibility, and his performances are truly encouraging. He will certainly play an even more prominent role in the future.”

Hall’s development is certainly an encouraging example of the younger players taking on greater responsibility, and Yanova’s comments suggest we could see him become an even more influential figure in years to come. 

Replacing the experience and leadership lost over recent months will not happen overnight, but the coaching staff clearly see opportunities for others to step forward. With a younger squad still adapting to Jaissle’s methods, finding those leaders will be an important part of the work ahead.