Eddie Howe is set to leave his role as Newcastle United’s head coach, with Matthias Jaissle of Al Ahli expected to replace him. Howe, who initially decided to continue at St. James’ Park after last season, has now chosen to step down, desiring a break from football after leading the team for five years.
The departure is amicable, with Newcastle well-prepared for the transition. Talks between Jaissle and the club have progressed significantly. The 38-year-old German has an impressive record, having led Al Ahli to two Asian Champions League victories. Like Newcastle, Al Ahli is predominantly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Jaissle, a former player for Hoffenheim, honed his coaching skills at Red Bull Salzburg, where he secured back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian Cup. Since joining Al Ahli in 2023, he maintained his winning streak with high-intensity, attacking football.
Formerly, Howe stepped in as Newcastle’s coach in November 2021, taking over from Steve Bruce. At that time, Newcastle was struggling at 19th place in the Premier League, shortly after being acquired by a consortium led by PIF. Howe pivoted the team’s fortunes, ensuring their top-flight status and achieving Champions League qualification. Under his guidance, Newcastle claimed their first major domestic trophy since 1955, winning against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Despite these successes, last season brought challenges. Newcastle ended 12th in the Premier League, and their Champions League journey ended with an 8-3 defeat to Barcelona in the last-16 stage. A poor run from January, with only five wins in 17 league matches, put Howe’s tenure under scrutiny.
High-level discussions involving PIF reassured Howe’s continued leadership, acknowledging the season’s shortcomings with a vow for improvement. Nevertheless, Howe opted to exit amid a turbulent summer transfer market. Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for substantial sums while facing Arsenal’s interest in Bruno Guimaraes.
‘Howe will forever be considered a club legend’, commented George Caulkin, a Newcastle United writer.
Howe’s departure is surprising given his pivotal role in revitalizing Newcastle. His leadership brought the club its first domestic trophy in 70 years, completing the efforts initiated by Kevin Keegan. These achievements solidified Howe’s legendary status at the club.
Yet, winning has been challenging. Notable players departed under contentious circumstances, and recruitment efforts faltered. The Premier League posed difficulties, and Newcastle struggled to rebound.
This off-season has already tested the club, with key players leaving and uncertainty over new signings. The looming departure of Guimaraes adds to the turmoil. Ahead of their season-opening match against Liverpool, Newcastle faces the task of integrating a new head coach.
Howe’s accomplishments—from navigating relegation in his first season and orchestrating two cup finals to signing remarkable players—were commendable. In its early days, Newcastle embodied aggression and pride.
Matthias Jaissle’s tenure begins as an era closes for Newcastle. Who is Jaissle? An excerpt from a January interview with German football correspondent Sebastian Stafford-Bloor provides insights.
Jaissle never planned to coach. As a player, he was a Stuttgart-signed centre-back, playing for Hoffenheim, achieving Bundesliga promotion in 2008. However, an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2009 cut his playing career short, leading him to retire at 26.
Ralf Rangnick, by then RB Leipzig’s head of sport, welcomed Jaissle into Leipzig’s youth programme. He gained experience as an assistant coach in Leipzig and the Danish club Brondby before returning to the Red Bull network as head coach of Salzburg’s under-18s.
In 2019, Jaissle seized opportunities, becoming head coach of FC Liefering before succeeding Jesse Marsch at Salzburg, leading as head coach at just 33.
Jaissle emphasizes player agency in attack within a structured, defensively intense framework, stating: “I want stress on the opponent as soon as possible. And when we win the ball, I want to go as quickly as possible towards the opponent’s goal.”
The influence of Ralf Rangnick is evident, though the effectiveness varies beyond the Red Bull system.
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