Online Reporter
THE BOOK has closed on the most-successful era of Newcastle’s modern history.
Internally at St. James’ Park, there is huge confidence that Matthias Jaissle can make phase two of the Saudi project even more memorable.
But with a squad stripped of its top stars, the 38-year-old German will have to be better than his CV suggests to get the Mags flying high again. The departure of Bruno Guimaraes was the latest blow in a bruising Tyneside summer. In fact, it brought to an end an agonising 12 months that began with Alexander Isak’s controversial exit.
Eddie Howe, despite spending all of the £130m they got for the Swede, failed to recover from the loss of his star striker. Toon had lost their tune, and after last season’s underwhelming campaign, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali were the first to jump ship.
Once skipper Guimaraes set his heart on Arsenal, Howe felt, with his squad torn apart, he was no longer the man to lead Newcastle.
He opted to go with his reputation intact, ensuring he’ll always be lauded for guiding the club from 19th to two Champions League qualifications and ending a 70-year wait for silverware.
From the outside, the prospects of Jaissle achieving anything like that success fast look slim. Work is ongoing to recruit an experienced replacement for Guimaraes, but aside from new £25.7m goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, all of Toon’s exciting incomings have been 20 or younger. While he arrives with several trophies already on his CV, Jaissle faces some task leading Newcastle’s new young guns and remaining old guard back to the big time.
So just what has convinced Newcastle’s Saudi PIF owners, who boldly aim to be title challengers by 2030, that he can ensure the next chapter of their reign will be a hit?
His coaching career first took him to Denmark and then Red Bull Salzburg’s academy after playing for Hoffenheim in his homeland. FC Liefering provided him with a first senior job before he landed the top one at Salzburg in 2021. Steeped in the Red Bull philosophy of high pressing, possession and direct play, it did not take long to win over supporters.
Jaissle won the double in his first season and retained the league the next, working with the likes of Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko, while reaching the Champions League knockouts.
Two years later he moved to the Saudi Pro League and Al-Ahli, transforming them into one of Asia’s top sides, and leading them to back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.
Jaissle, who added a Saudi Super Cup to his resume, style has also evolved. Salzburg was built around the Ralf Rangnick inspired narrow 4-4-2 with wingers coming inside. But it was an attacking 4-2-3-1 he often adopted at Al Ahli. Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson is a fan.
He said: “Matthias’ leadership style and football philosophy are strongly aligned with our sporting vision. His teams play high-energy football and we could feel his passion during all of our discussions throughout the recruitment process.” But we could well see change again. For Jaissle, inspired by bits from all of the top coaches rather than just one, precise formations come second to principles about style.
Jaissle’s experience working in multi-cultural dressing rooms will be key in pulling the Toon plan together. He unofficially arrived at the La Manga training camp on Saturday, giving him a week to work with his men before the upcoming friendly in Valencia.
But with a young squad re-energised despite the loss of its big hitters, don’t expect Jaissle to have overloaded his players with tactics.
Discussing his philosophy previously, he said: “You really have to take care that you don’t have too much information. This is a big challenge. As a manager or coach, you know so much about tactics, but you cannot just give everything to the players. You have to really take care not to overwhelm them.”Despite the big-name exits, the prospect of spearheading a team of young starlets and turning the page in Newcastle’s Saudi story is what appeals most to him. —Sun,
