Newcastle appoint Jaissle as new head coach after Howe exit

Newcastle United have appointed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach following the departure of Eddie Howe, handing the job to a 38-year-old with no prior experience of managing a top-flight club.

Jaissle, a former Germany Under-21 international, was previously in charge of Saudi side Al-Ahli.

"It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United," he said. "This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand."

"When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be," he added.

Jaissle was forced to end his playing career at 25 due to injury. His first managerial job came with Austrian side Liefering, whom he led to a second-placed finish in the second tier — the club's joint best-ever position.

He took charge at Red Bull Salzburg in 2021, winning successive Austrian titles and the Austrian Cup, before joining Al-Ahli in 2023 and steering them to AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.

Though not a high-profile manager, he is well known to Newcastle's majority owner, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which bought a controlling share in four Pro League clubs, including Al-Ahli, in 2023.

Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson said: "Matthias is one of the most exciting and highly regarded young coaches in football. We have conducted a thorough process, and he has emerged as the clear candidate for the role. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for."

Howe, who replaced Steve Bruce in November 2021, won the League Cup in March 2025 — beating Liverpool in the final for the club's first major trophy since 1969 — and led Newcastle to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025. But pressure mounted as the Magpies finished 12th in the Premier League last season with 17 defeats in 38 games, and were beaten 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.

The club have since lost Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, with Howe reportedly frustrated at losing key players to comply with profit and sustainability rules. Captain Bruno Guimaraes is also set to leave, with Arsenal reported to have agreed a £75 million (US$101 million) deal.

Newcastle host Liverpool on Aug 23. "I fully and unreservedly believe in this project," Jaissle said.