Predicted position based on the writers’ average: 17th (Note: this ranking reflects the combined forecasts of the writing team rather than Louise Taylor’s individual view)
Previous season’s finish: 12th
Outlook
Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson recently described the club as being at a major turning point. Eddie Howe’s departure brought an end to almost five generally successful years in charge, with Matthias Jaissle appointed as his replacement. The 38-year-old German achieved impressive results in Austria and Saudi Arabia, although he has no previous managerial experience in England or the Premier League.
Jaissle faces a difficult rebuilding job after Newcastle followed a disappointing 12th-place finish by selling three of their most influential players. Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães moved to Barcelona, Tottenham and Arsenal respectively during the summer. Sporting director Ross Wilson has also lowered the wage bill, met financial regulations and significantly reduced the squad’s average age. Four of the club’s first five summer recruits were no older than 20, helping explain why Hopkinson repeatedly describes the project as “Newcastle 2.0”.
European qualification is not being discussed within the club, and securing a top-half finish would represent an excellent achievement this season. Jaissle has repeatedly stressed that Newcastle are going through a period of transition. Their progress may depend heavily on whether he can revive Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade after both attackers struggled last season. Wissa’s strong pre-season form offers some encouragement, while newcomers Bazoumana Touré, Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur have also shown signs that they can compete at this level.
Situation away from the pitch
Newcastle’s majority shareholder, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is theoretically the richest owner in global football. However, financial regulations assess squad expenditure in relation to commercial income, and Newcastle generate roughly half the revenue earned by several of their main competitors.
After breaking European cost-control rules, the club entered a three-year settlement arrangement with Uefa. Its efforts to restore financial stability included selling Gordon, Tonali and Guimarães, as well as adopting a recruitment strategy focused largely on players under 25 valued between £20m and £40m. Hopkinson acknowledged that the club had spent beyond its sustainable limits and eventually needed to settle those obligations. There is still no final confirmation regarding the proposed training complex near Woolsington airport, while the decision between constructing a new stadium and modernising St James’ Park also remains unresolved.
Relationship between the owners and supporters
Supporters hold differing views of PIF, which controls 85% of Newcastle, with the Reuben family owning the other 15%. The NUFC Fans against Sportswashing campaign group regularly draws attention to Saudi Arabia’s severe human-rights record. More broadly, many fans are frustrated that PIF representatives have little direct engagement with supporters or journalists. The connection with the fanbase became weaker after popular former minority shareholder Amanda Staveley lost a boardroom power struggle in 2024. Many people across Tyneside are also disappointed that the takeover has not yet produced the level of local and regional investment they anticipated.
Head coach
Jaissle established a reputation for collecting trophies with RB Salzburg and Al-Ahli, including two Asian Champions League titles during three years in Saudi Arabia. Hopkinson has called him “a rock star”, while Jaissle’s football is built around intense pressing. When asked to define his approach, he described it as proactive, forceful, direct, energetic and unrelenting. Howe’s successor still has the imposing appearance of the central defender he once was before serious knee problems ended his playing career in his mid-20s. After working under Thomas Tuchel in Stuttgart’s youth setup and Ralf Rangnick at Hoffenheim, Jaissle quickly moved into coaching and began as an assistant at Leipzig. Newcastle supporters have already created a terrace chant for him based on “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”.
Key numbers
Newcastle must find new ways to manufacture scoring opportunities this season. Losing a team’s four leading chance creators in one transfer window is highly unusual, but the exits of Guimarães, Tonali, Gordon and Kieran Trippier have left a major creative gap. New arrival Bazoumana Touré will therefore be expected to adapt quickly and make an immediate contribution.
Newcastle chance-creation statistics
Leading summer arrival
Newcastle have acquired a true sweeper-keeper in Lukas Hornicek, a 24-year-old Czech Republic international signed from Braga for £26m. His control and distribution are so accomplished that he continued alternating between goalkeeper and striker into his teenage years. Combined with sharp reflexes, reliable handling of crosses and excellent kicking, those qualities attracted considerable attention during the 2025 European Under-21 Championship. In the Czech Republic, Hornicek has even been compared with Petr Cech.
Breakthrough candidate
Mason Miley, the younger brother of 20-year-old midfielder Lewis, delivered several outstanding performances during pre-season, including in a close home loss to Bayer Leverkusen. He is most comfortable as a defensive central midfielder. Miley entered Newcastle’s academy at nine and agreed his first professional deal earlier this summer. Jaissle has praised the youngster’s mentality, commitment and ability. Mason is the third member of the Miley family to progress through Newcastle’s academy. His oldest brother, 22-year-old Jamie, is also a midfielder and currently represents Hartlepool in the National League.
World Cup consequences
A thigh problem kept Tino Livramento out of the final five weeks of last season, but he recovered soon enough to join Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup and travel to the United States. The right-back’s tournament ended before England faced Croatia in their opening match, however, after he injured his calf during training and returned home. Livramento underwent a minor operation during the summer and is targeting an early-autumn comeback. Lewis Hall, meanwhile, was deeply frustrated after being omitted from Tuchel’s World Cup squad. Manchester United have maintained a strong interest in the left-back throughout the summer.
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