Matthias Jaissle 'a surprising choice' for Newcastle United boss - but 'classic Red Bull coach' backed to make his mark in Premier League

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Newcastle United's appointment of Matthias Jaissle as head coach was "surprising", but the 38-year-old is a good fit, Eurosport Germany's Tobias Laure feels. Jaissle has succeeded Eddie Howe in the St James' Park dug-out, after spending the last three years with Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.

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Jaissle arrived in Newcastle during a summer of major change. Howe stood down from his role last week, after Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali departed in big-money moves to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

Another key player, Bruno Guimaraes, has reportedly agreed a £75 million move to Premier League champions Arsenal.

Jaissle established his reputation as one of Europe's bright young coaches during a two-year spell in charge of RB Salzburg, where he guided the Austrian side to two league titles, and successive appearances in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.

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And with Newcastle having brought in multiple young players this summer - Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba all arrived at the club aged 20 or under - Laure feels it provides the exact environment in which Jaissle can thrive.

"Definitely yes," Laure said, when asked if Jaissle is the right man to lead Newcastle's rebuild. "Jaissle has built teams under various circumstances and been successful.

"In Newcastle, he now has to work with a lot of young new signings and integrate them into the team and his strategy. That’s one of his strengths. Jaissle was a surprising choice, but a good one."

Ross Wilson, Newcastle's sporting director, said upon the appointment that Jaissle "has consistently demonstrated an ability to improve players," and Laure earmarked Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko as one of the key beneficiaries.

"During his time with RB Salzburg between 2021 and 2023, the forward earned Jaissle’s trust - and made tremendous progress," Laure said.

Alongside his Salzburg success, Jaissle won the AFC Champions League in successive years with Al Ahli. But despite his impressive career to date, Laure said the German coach has not yet established a "real reputation" in his home country.

"To be honest, people were mostly surprised that Jaissle was brought in by Newcastle," Laure said.

"He has never worked as a head coach in Germany; he was known mainly to insiders.

"After coaching the youth teams at RB Leipzig, he moved to Denmark [Brondby]. So he doesn't have a 'real' reputation in Germany – this will change quickly after his move to Newcastle."

Jaissle becomes the fourth German manager in the Premier League ahead of the 2026/27 season, with Daniel Farke at Leeds United, Marco Rose at Bournemouth and Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Compatriots Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel have enjoyed successful spells in charge of English sides, but Laure feels Jaissle still has a lot to prove.

"I think you have to make a distinction," he said. "Klopp and Tuchel had already coached major clubs in Germany and then worked at top clubs in England.

"Jaissle is still more of a newcomer at this level. But, with the opportunities it offers and their disappointing 12th-placed finish last season, Newcastle presents a great chance for Jaissle to make a positive impact and establish himself as a top coach - even in the Premier League."

And with Jaissle having been ensconced in the Red Bull system during his early career, Laure expects to see a high-tempo Newcastle side in the coming season.

"Jaissle has been strongly shaped by his time in the Red Bull universe [Leipzig and Salzburg]," Laure said.

"Accordingly, Jaissle is likely to try to establish a fast-paced style of play in Newcastle as well - or as former Bundesliga forward Jan Age Fjortoft put it: 'I worked with him in Salzburg. He’s what I’d call a classic Red Bull coach: high pressing, quick transitions, and consistently high intensity.'"

Newcastle's Premier League season gets underway against Liverpool on August 23.

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