Newcastle United appoint Matthias Jaissle as head coach following Eddie Howe's departure from St James' Park

Newcastle have appointed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach following Eddie Howe's exit.

The German has signed a four-year deal with Newcastle, who paid £9.5m (€11m) compensation to Saudi side Al Ahli, whom Jaissle led to consecutive Asian Champions League crowns over the last two years.

Jaissle has been with his new squad since the weekend and his first match in charge will be a pre-season friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday.

"When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice," Jaissle said.

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"The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club's journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see.

"I am incredibly excited about the future. I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking. There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on."

Before his successful spell in Saudi Arabia, Jaissle won two Austrian Bundesliga titles and a domestic cup with Red Bull Salzburg, while also leading them to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Newcastle described Jaissle as the standout candidate following a "thorough, rigorous and confidential" recruitment process, highlighting his track record of developing players, building high-intensity teams and his alignment with the club's long-term ambitions.

"His track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United," said club CEO David Hopkinson.

Jaissle outlines Newcastle style and 'values'

Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle speaking to the club's website:

"They were stressful days, it's behind us now but there were really good honest conversations with the decision makers at Newcastle - and obviously, overall there is only excitement.

"Joining this marvellous club, with this fan base, is something special and a privilege.

"The Premier League is something special by itself, but joining this club is even more special. With that fan base, with that passion the supporters show for the club, it's really interesting to be part of it.

"It comes as a big privilege, but with big responsibility too. I will do my best to live up to it.

"The timing is not easy, it's a challenge but we've said to the staff members we need to really engage and use these three weeks before Liverpool in the best possible way.

"Control the controllables and if everyone is pulling in the same direction - players, staff and fans - it's going to be a really interesting and successful season.

"My football is front-footed, aggressive, vertical in our approach - I think that's a perfect fit to Newcastle, and we've just talked to the staff members about the three values I have always had: trust, respect and pure commitment."

Who is Matthias Jaissle?

The 38-year-old German played for Hoffenheim before embarking on a coaching career that took him to Denmark and into an academy role at Red Bull Salzburg. His first senior job was at FC Liefering, moving on to the top job at Salzburg in the summer of 2021.

Jaissle won the double in his first season and retained the league in his second. He worked with Karim Adeyemi and Benjamin Sesko at Salzburg, competing in the Champions League, before moving on to Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in 2023.

He has spent the past three years there, winning the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong last year. But before that he spoke to Sky Sports as part of our Future of Football series for an illuminating discussion of his ideas and how he saw the game progressing.

Read our full feature on Jaissle's philosophy and inspirations here.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Newcastle United appoint Matthias Jaissle as head coach following Eddie Howe's departure from St James' Park