Matthias Jaissle, the German coach, has been signed by Newcastle United to replace Eddie Howe.
It comes as good news for the Premier League outfit after a couple of days since Newcastle announced the move on Wednesday.The Premier League club said on Wednesday that Jaissle will take over from Newcastle's duties on the first day of the 2026-27 season.
The 38-year-old is coming into the park after a successful stint at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli, where he was able to claim back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles. He was the first coach to have done so after leading the club in continental triumphs during 2025 and 2026.
Newcastle had an “incredible ambition, history”, and they had a “crazy amount of supporters”, so it was hard to pass up, Jaissle said.
The former Germany Under-21 international said he had seen how Newcastle have progressed and that the club has built up some good foundations for success.
After suffering from ongoing injury issues, Jaissle had his playing career cut short at the age of 25.
He started his senior management career in the second-tier Austrian team FC Liefering, taking them to 2nd place in which year he was appointed head coach of Red Bull Salzburg in 2021.
In his inaugural campaign at Salzburg, Jaissle was able to win the Austrian Bundesliga and the Austrian Cup. The following year he continued to lead the team to the Champions League knockout round and took over the league championship.
He joined Al-Ahli in 2023 and spent his maiden season leading the team to third-place in the Saudi Pro League, and therefore to the AFC Champions League Elite.
Then in 2025 Al-Ahli won their first continental title thanks to Jaissle and then managed to defend the title in 2026. In his days in Jeddah, he was also the winner of the Saudi Super Cup.
Newcastle head coach David Hopkinson said he had been through a rigorous recruitment process to find the best candidate for the role, which led to Jaissle.
The club were impressed with his leadership, contributions to player development and love for high tempo, fast paced football.
Jaissle's side have been praised for their attacking fireworks, ability to turn the ball over swiftly and to try to win it up high on the field.
The Newcastle approach is similar to that of Howe, who steered Newcastle to its first major domestic trophy in 70 years and two Champions League berths.
Howe said he was stepping down after a challenging campaign as Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League in his almost five years in charge.
The manager of Bournemouth in his last season, left the club with a disappointing record, but the former club leader has turned Newcastle into a competitive outfit, and produced the League Cup in 2025.
But the team is in turmoil with Newcastle aiming to return to European football and Jaissle will be expected to rebuild as he takes over from a team on a downward trend.
His first game will be a pre-season game on August 8 at Valencia's Mestalla stadium in the first away match of the season.
Newcastle will kick off their new Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on August 23.
He fully believes Newcastle's project and will take commitment, energy and determination with him as he starts off the biggest assignment in his managerial career, Jaissle said.
