Newcastle United are reportedly on the verge of appointing Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach, with the highly-rated German emerging as the surprise frontrunner to succeed Eddie Howe at St James’ Park.
Howe is expected to bring an end to his nearly five-year spell in charge of the Magpies, having overseen one of the club’s most successful periods in recent history. Since replacing Steve Bruce in November 2021, the 48-year-old transformed Newcastle into a competitive force and guided them to their first domestic trophy in 70 years by winning the Carabao Cup in 2025.
Should the appointment be confirmed, Jaissle would arrive on Tyneside with an impressive managerial résumé despite being only 38 years old.
The former defender began his playing career in Stuttgart’s youth academy before spending seven years at Hoffenheim. However, persistent injuries forced him to retire from professional football at the age of 25, prompting an early transition into coaching.
Jaissle’s coaching journey started as an assistant manager at Danish side Brøndby between 2017 and 2019 before he returned to the Red Bull football network. He initially managed RB Salzburg’s Under-18 team before taking charge of Austrian second-division club Liefering, where he guided the side to a second-place finish matching the club’s best-ever league performance.
His impressive work earned him promotion to RB Salzburg’s senior team in 2021, succeeding Jesse Marsch.
During his two seasons at Salzburg, Jaissle enjoyed remarkable success, winning two Austrian Bundesliga titles and lifting the Austrian Cup. His side also helped develop several players who would later establish themselves at Europe’s elite clubs, including Benjamin Šeško, Brenden Aaronson and Karim Adeyemi.
In 2023, Jaissle accepted a move to Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ahli, where he has continued his winning trajectory by leading the club to back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.
His achievements in Saudi Arabia are believed to have strengthened his relationship with Newcastle’s Saudi-backed ownership, making him an attractive candidate to lead the Premier League club into its next chapter.
Jaissle has earned a reputation for implementing an aggressive, high-pressing style of football built on intensity, quick transitions and attacking intent. His tactical philosophy is expected to appeal to Newcastle supporters, who have embraced proactive football under Howe.
If appointed, Jaissle would inherit a squad capable of competing for domestic honours and European qualification, while facing the considerable challenge of building on the foundations laid by Howe, whose tenure restored Newcastle’s status among English football’s leading clubs.
