Less than two years ago, FourFourTwo sat inside the bowels of Al Ahli’s inner city training ground in Jeddah, and whispers abounded. “If he loses this game, the manager might well be sacked,” one Saudi Pro League expert told us that evening, as we waited for Matthias Jaissle to arrive for his latest pre-match press … Read more
After waiting 22 years to win the Premier League again, Arsenal finally did it. Can Mikel Arteta’s side now defend their title? It will be interesting to see their mindset and approach; whether the relief of getting over the line at last has an impact, or if it only sparks even more fire to do … Read more
Such perspective helps explain why Jaissle has embraced a huge task at Newcastle after he was parachuted into the hotseat just a few weeks before the start of the season. It has been another turbulent summer on Tyneside after head coach Eddie Howe stepped down and key players Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon … Read more
Reasons to be fearful or cause to be cheerful? Newcastle fans among a crowd in excess of 39,000 at St James’ Park on Saturday had much to debate as they headed home from a slightly underwhelming 2-1 friendly defeat by Bayer Leverkusen. The bad news is that a suddenly youthful team still coming to terms … Read more
Barnes and Murphy also featured when Newcastle tasted defeat against Everton in the Premier League under former head coach Eddie Howe back in February. But this was a drastically different starting line-up following a summer of change on Tyneside. Eight of the starters were aged 25 and under while Joelinton, who wore the captain’s armband, … Read more
The squad have become familiar with those principles following a draining training camp in Spain last week, which culminated in a 2-1 win against Valencia. Goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek said Newcastle want to “show the opponents that they will have a hard time against us”, while defender Malick Thiaw has spoken about the intensity under Jaissle … Read more
There has been little time to waste following a period of dramatic change at the club. Former head coach Eddie Howe has moved on and key players Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have all left in the last year. Gallows humour gripped some supporters who made the trip after they adapted … Read more
Matthias Jaissle has described Newcastle “as an incredibly compelling place to be” after finally formalising his managerial move from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli. The 38-year-old German has been with his new players at their training camp in La Manga, southern Spain, since last Saturday but, despite also falling under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment … Read more
Taking over a big, underachieving port city club with a loyal fanbase that is desperate for success should not faze Matthias Jaissle. Should he take the role vacated by Eddie Howe, the 38-year-old German will leave Jeddah as a hero and arrive in the north-east as one of the most successful coaches in the history … Read more