Newcastle United is preparing to announce Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach on Saturday, following the confirmed departure of Eddie Howe. The club has reportedly agreed to pay a compensation fee of £9.5m to Saudi side Al Ahli for Jaissle’s services. The German manager is expected to sign a four-year contract at St James’ Park.
Jaissle, who previously managed Red Bull Salzburg, is scheduled to join his new players at their training camp in La Manga, Spain, on Saturday. His first match in charge is anticipated to be a pre-season friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla next Saturday.
Howe’s Departure and Legacy
Eddie Howe’s exit was officially announced on Friday, a day after reports indicated his departure. The delay in the announcement was to ensure the agreement for Jaissle’s appointment was finalised. Howe stated that he decided to step away from his role to “recharge and take a break,” describing his time managing Newcastle as the privilege of his life.
During his tenure, Howe led the Magpies to their first domestic silverware in 70 years with a Carabao Cup victory in 2025. He also oversaw the team’s qualification for the Champions League on two occasions. The club acknowledged his “extraordinary contribution” and accepted his decision to step down.
David Hopkinson, Newcastle chief executive, expressed gratitude for Howe’s service, stating that he and his staff leave with the deep respect of everyone at the club and a lasting place in its history. Howe’s coaching staff, including Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches, Simon Weatherstone, and head of performance Dan Hodges, are also departing St James’ Park.
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes shared a farewell message on Instagram, calling Howe the ‘king of this club’ and thanking him for his impact as a player and person. Guimaraes’ message comes amidst ongoing interest from Arsenal in the midfielder.
New Signings and Squad Development
In addition to the managerial change, Newcastle has reached an agreement in principle with Braga for Lukas Hornicek, who is expected to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. The club has agreed to activate his £25.7m release clause and is currently discussing payment terms with the Portuguese club. The 24-year-old Czech goalkeeper has been granted permission to travel for a medical examination.
Hornicek is set to be Newcastle‘s fifth signing of the summer, bringing their total spending to £140m. The club has already brought in players such as Bazooumana Toure, Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur, and Aladji Bamba as they build for the future. These new additions follow the departures of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.
With Jaissle’s arrival, there is speculation about potential new signings to strengthen the squad further. Ivan Toney, a former Magpies striker who has been with Al-Ahli for the past two seasons, scoring 72 goals, has been mentioned as a possible target. Toney has previously played under Jaissle, making him a familiar face for the new manager.
Other players identified as potential fits for Jaissle’s style include Johan Bakayoko, a winger from RB Leipzig, and Joao Palhinha, a midfielder who spent last season on loan at Tottenham from Bayern Munich. Amar Dedic, a full-back from Benfica who previously worked with Jaissle at FC Liefering and Salzburg, is also considered a potential acquisition to bolster the defensive lines.
The club is preparing for a new era under Jaissle, with his first match scheduled for next Saturday against Valencia.
Source: skysports.com
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