The winner who played for Tuchel - potential Newcastle boss Jaissle

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Matthias Jaissle, the 38-year-old German coach of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, has emerged as the unexpected leading candidate to succeed Eddie Howe at Newcastle United. Howe, 48, is expected to leave St James’ Park after nearly five years in charge, having taken over in November 2021 and later delivered Newcastle’s first domestic trophy in 70 years with the 2025 Carabao Cup.

Jaissle’s appeal, according to the BBC, rests on a rapid coaching rise and a record of trophies. A former Hoffenheim centre-back and Germany Under-21 international, he retired at 25 because of injury before moving into coaching with Brondby, RB Salzburg’s academy and Liefering. He became RB Salzburg manager in 2021 and won two Austrian league titles and one Austrian Cup in two seasons. He then joined Al-Ahli in 2023, where BBC Sport says he won back-to-back Asian Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.

The report highlights Jaissle’s preference for aggressive, high-pressing football, with teams expected to attack, play with intensity and win the ball high up the pitch. It also notes his connection with England manager Thomas Tuchel, who coached him at Stuttgart, and Al-Ahli’s squad links to England striker Ivan Toney, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Roger Ibanez.

The potential appointment would come at a difficult moment for Newcastle. BBC Sport says the club finished 12th last season, missed out on European football, lost several key players, and are due to begin their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on 23 August.