Matthias Jaissle: Newcastle's Potential New Head Coach

Matthias Jaissle has unexpectedly emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, bringing with him an impressive record of recent achievements.

Howe, 48, is preparing to depart St James’ Park following a spell of almost five years. Appointed in November 2021 as Steve Bruce’s successor, he led the Magpies to their first domestic silverware in seven decades when they lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025.

Jaissle, a former RB Salzburg manager who is currently in charge of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, is expected to replace him.

The 38-year-old German previously played as a central defender. After developing in Stuttgart’s academy, he represented Hoffenheim at senior level between 2007 and 2014.

He also appeared for Germany’s Under-21 side, although injury brought his playing career to an early end when he was 25.

Jaissle began his coaching career as an assistant at Danish side Brondby, working there from 2017 until 2019. He later managed RB Salzburg’s Under-18 academy squad before receiving his first senior head-coaching role with Austrian second-division club Liefering.

He steered Liefering to second place, matching the highest finish in the club’s history. That accomplishment earned him the RB Salzburg job in 2021, when he succeeded Jesse Marsch, who later coached Leeds United and Canada at the 2026 World Cup.

During his two campaigns with RB Salzburg, Jaissle secured back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga championships and lifted the Austrian Cup once.

His squad featured Benjamin Sesko and Brenden Aaronson, now playing Premier League football for Manchester United and Leeds United respectively, as well as German attacker Karim Adeyemi, who currently represents Barcelona.

After moving to Al-Ahli in 2023, Jaissle guided the Saudi club to successive Asian Champions League triumphs in 2025 and 2026. Those results are likely to have attracted the attention of Newcastle’s Saudi owners as they considered potential successors to Howe.

Newcastle fans may welcome Jaissle’s tactical approach, which is built around aggressive pressing and attacking play. His sides are expected to operate with high intensity and regain possession as far up the field as possible.