Matthias Jaissle Nears Newcastle United Manager Role as Eddie Howe Steps Down
About three weeks before the Premier League season starts, Newcastle United are preparing to replace their head coach. Eddie Howe, the English manager, is close to ending his five-year spell in charge, with talks underway to bring in Matthias Jaissle, currently managing Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Howe's Departure and Jaissle's Arrival
Eddie Howe has decided to step away from football temporarily, telling the club’s board he needs a break despite previously wanting to continue. The decision was mutual, and Newcastle already has plans to handle this transition smoothly.
Negotiations with Matthias Jaissle have advanced significantly. The German coach, who leads Al-Ahli, is expected to take over as Newcastle’s manager soon.
Contract Issues and Ownership Links
Reports from Saudi media indicate that Jaissle and Al-Ahli couldn’t agree on new contract terms, leading to stalled renewal talks. Interestingly, both Al-Ahli and Newcastle share the same majority owner: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Jaissle’s Coaching Credentials
At just 38 years old, Jaissle is among Europe’s most promising young coaches. He guided Al-Ahli to AFC Champions League Elite titles in 2025 and 2026. Before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023, he built his reputation at Red Bull Salzburg by winning consecutive Austrian league titles and the Austrian Cup, all while emphasizing an attacking, high-press style of play.
Howe’s Newcastle Journey
Eddie Howe took charge in November 2021 after Steve Bruce’s departure during the Public Investment Fund takeover. At that time, Newcastle was 19th in the Premier League table. Howe managed to keep them from relegation that season, then led the team to fourth place in 2022-2023, securing Champions League qualification. Under his guidance, Newcastle also finished in the top five in subsequent seasons.
A highlight of Howe’s tenure was winning the English Football League Cup in 2025, beating Liverpool. It was Newcastle’s first major domestic trophy since 1955 and their first silverware in 70 years.
Recent Struggles and Team Changes
The last season proved difficult, with Newcastle finishing 12th in the Premier League and exiting the Champions League in the round of 16 after an 8-3 aggregate loss to Barcelona. Only five wins in the final 17 league games increased pressure on Howe’s position.
Despite this, club officials, alongside representatives from the Public Investment Fund, agreed post-season to give Howe another chance, though they acknowledged the performance was below expectations.
Summer Transfers and Future Challenges
Howe’s potential exit coincides with a busy transfer window. Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69.3 million and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £100 million. Now, they face the possibility of losing Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who is attracting interest from Arsenal and reportedly wants to join the Premier League champions.
Howe’s Career Path
Before Newcastle, Howe had two stints at Bournemouth, separated by a brief period at Burnley. His time at Newcastle is likely to end officially in the coming days.
