Jaissle poised to replace Howe as Newcastle seek fresh start

Matthias Jaissle is in pole position to replace Eddie Howe as Newcastle manager, with the appointment looming just three weeks before the new Premier League season begins. The 38‑year‑old German coach would take charge of the North‑East side, known as the Magpies, after Howe’s departure. Howe, the 48‑year‑old English coach, is leaving after five years at the helm and has said he wants a break from football.

Newcastle’s pre‑season form offers little comfort, as the club suffered a 4‑1 defeat to Bristol City on Wednesday. The loss comes amid growing scrutiny of Howe’s tenure, despite his credit for guiding the Magpies to the 2025 Carabao Cup and a Champions League last‑16 appearance last season.

Jaissle’s résumé includes two Asian Champions League titles with Saudi Pro League side Al‑Ahli, a club majority‑owned by the Public Investment Fund, the same sovereign wealth fund that backs Newcastle. He also added the 2025 Saudi Super Cup to his trophy cabinet while overseeing Al‑Ahli since 2023.

Before his Saudi adventure, Jaissle spent two seasons at Red Bull Salzburg, winning back‑to‑back Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian Cup, and steering the team into the Champions League knockout phase. He earned the Salzburg job only four months after guiding Liefering to second place in Austria’s second tier and had previously managed Salzburg’s Under‑18 academy.

From Red Bull prodigy to Newcastle hopeful: Jaissle’s unexpected path

As a player, Jaissle was a centre‑back at Hoffenheim for 11 years, making 68 league appearances before an ACL injury in 2009 forced his retirement at 26. He also earned a single cap for Germany’s Under‑21 side.

Jaissle describes his coaching philosophy as high‑intensity, vertical football, saying, “I want stress on the opponent as soon as possible… when we win the ball, I want to go as quickly as possible towards the opponent’s goal. I’m very vertical in that approach.” He cites ex‑Man United manager Ralf Rangnick as an inspiration.

The link between Newcastle and Al‑Ahli is clear: both clubs are owned by the Public Investment Fund. Yet the appointment would mark a historic shift, as Jaissle would become the first German to manage Newcastle and only the third non‑British/Irish boss after Howe, Graeme Jones (interim) and Steve Bruce.

Newcastle’s schedule remains tight, with a friendly against Valencia on Saturday 8 August, followed by final warm‑up games versus Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg, before the Premier League opener against Liverpool at St James’ Park in 24 days.