Jaissle on injury that led him to Newcastle and conversation with Howe
Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle United head coach, on 20 August 2026 described the knee injury that ended his playing career and said he had spoken with predecessor Eddie Howe as he prepares for Newcastle's Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday. He called the injury "the biggest setback in my life so far" and said the experience ultimately put him on the path to St James' Park.
Jaissle said he was 25 when a serious knee problem forced him to stop playing after he had fulfilled a dream of winning promotion to the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim a few years earlier. "I was in a real low at that time," he said, adding: "I got to know the heavy side of life. I had to stop and quit my career as a footballer quite early, but that also showed me that you can see all challenges in a positive way and see the opportunity behind it. Now I'm here as manager of Newcastle United. I couldn't dream about that 15 years ago. That's life."
He acknowledged being appointed only weeks before the start of the season and described taking charge at a turbulent moment after Eddie Howe stepped down and the club sold a number of leading players, including Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon. Jaissle, who previously managed Al-Ahli and Red Bull Salzburg, said he would not dwell on the game's financial rules that have limited spending and increased the need to trade, adding: "I like challenges" and "I try to see in all challenges the chance in it, so therefore I'm here."
Newcastle have signed six players — Lukas Hornicek, Ewen Jaouen, Amar Dedic, Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure — but Jaissle noted the recruits are all aged 24 and under and will require time to adapt to the Premier League's physical demands. He said further additions are needed and expressed confidence about more movement before the transfer window closes, telling reporters he was "confident there will be changes" ahead of 1 September.
Responding to outside scepticism, Jaissle cited pundits who expect a difficult season and said: "Everyone is somehow against us or do not think we can play a good role in the Premier League. We will try to convince them in a different way that we are able to." He stressed the importance of unity, using the phrase "sticking together" that echoed Howe's messaging, and confirmed he had spoken with Howe but would keep the details private, adding: "I have huge respect for what he did and what he built" and "he's not only a great manager... he's also a great human being."
Jaissle signed a four-year contract at Newcastle running until 2030. He reflected on the difficult previous campaign in which Newcastle finished 12th and on chief executive David Hopkinson's stated ambition to be competing for major honours by 2030, saying those above him "know about the challenges so will be patient." He added: "It needs time to start that new journey to proceed in the right direction" and insisted: "You need to give the players time and that's not saying we're not ambitious. No, we are really ambitious and have high goals, high expectations, high demands and live to these standards day in, day out."
On style of play, Jaissle said he intends to produce front-foot, aggressive football and believes that approach will suit Newcastle because supporters are familiar with it, calling it a "good fit for Newcastle because they are used to seeing their teams in that way." He said he had studied Kevin Keegan's influence at the club, describing Keegan as "Amazing, outstanding, therefore he is a legend. He was building the club and we just try to maintain that. The playing style back then reminds me very much of how we want to play. The Entertainers is a special name for it, so let's hope we can go in the same direction." Keegan died in July aged 75 and the club will pay tribute to him before the Liverpool game.
Jaissle said he was looking forward to the Liverpool match, stating "I'm really excited" and adding: "You probably don't see it, but the goosebumps are there just thinking about this match."
