Matthias Jaissle, 38, met reporters at St James' Park for his first extended news conference as Newcastle United head coach, describing his touchline behaviour as emotional and acknowledging he would need to stay within his technical area more than he did during his time managing in Saudi Arabia.
Jaissle holds first news conference as Newcastle United head coach
Matthias Jaissle, 38, met reporters at St James' Park for his first extended news conference as Newcastle United head coach, describing his touchline behaviour as emotional and acknowledging he would need to stay within his technical area more than he did during his time managing in Saudi Arabia.
Jaissle, who previously managed RB Salzburg and Al-Ahli, took charge of Newcastle United earlier this month. He said he would not change his personality, describing himself as emotional on the touchline, while noting he had more freedom of movement during his time in Saudi Arabia.
A former team-mate at Hoffenheim, Chinedu Obasi, described Jaissle as having always been hungry, with a leadership style that was vocal and passionate, and a desire to win. Jaissle's playing career ended with a serious knee injury at the age of 26.
Jaissle's predecessor, Eddie Howe, won the EFL Cup in 2025 and led Newcastle to two Champions League qualifications before stepping down last month. Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League in Howe's final season, losing seven home top-flight fixtures and recording poor away form throughout the campaign.
Jaissle said he and his staff experienced 'goosebumps' during their first tour of St James' Park, and outlined a preference for what he called intense, vertical, aggressive, and front-footed football. He expressed hope that this approach would create a connection between the team and supporters.
Newcastle's squad completed a training camp in Spain, which ended with a 2-1 win against Valencia. Goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek and defender Malick Thiaw both commented on the intensity of the new coaching approach.
Season ticket holder Adam Stoker said he believed Jaissle's playing style would be a positive, though he felt the club still needed further squad additions. Stoker drew comparisons to the 2022-23 Newcastle side, which he described as exciting to watch.
Newcastle open their Premier League season against Liverpool at St James' Park on 23 August. Jaissle acknowledged that the departures of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes this summer had left what he called a 'vacuum', while also describing the situation as an opportunity. He said success would require time, clear goals, and alignment across the club's decision-makers, players, staff, and supporters.
- The specific terms or length of Jaissle's contract with Newcastle United are not stated
- The identities or number of new signings made by Newcastle this summer are not detailed beyond the mention that they have never played in the Premier League
- The reasons for Eddie Howe's departure are not specified beyond saying he 'stepped down'
- The source does not establish what targets or league positions Newcastle have set for the coming season
- No details are provided about the players brought in to replace Gordon, Tonali, or Guimaraes
- The source does not confirm whether Obasi's comments were made at the news conference or in a separate interview