After the spine of Newcastle has been shockingly dismantled over the course of just twelve months, the trend continues as long-term manager Eddie Howe has left the club this morning. The news allegedly comes after Newcastle journalist and fan Luke Edwards stated that “Howe believes that captain Bruno Guimaraes will be sold this summer”. This would now make it five marquee Newcastle superstars that have left the club over the last twelve months and certainly marks the end of the Newcastle project to be “the new Man City”. As for Eddie Howe, it makes sense for both parties to restart a new project under a different manager; the 48-year-old has brought a trophy to St James’ Park for the first time in 70 years and given Newcastle fans some unforgettable memories, but has continued to look helpless in transfer windows as well as tactically in the Premier League. This tactical inability has only continued into pre-season, and after a 4-1 loss to Bristol City, it makes sense for him to leave the club.
Almost immediately after the news, many journalists and media outlets suggested that Al Alhi coach Matthias Jaissle is lined up to take the job – a manager that, in my opinion, suits the reformed Newcastle model of buying young and selling for more perfectly. The young German coach has worked his way up through RB Salzburg’s world-class academy structure, being successful at every level. In his time at the Austrian club, he managed and developed superstars: Karim Adeyemi, Benjamin Sesko and Noah Okafor, as well as RB Leipzig’s Seiwald and upcoming star Samson Baidoo. Taking all of them from raw, exciting teenagers to refined and capable footballers. As a prospect for Newcastle, this should only be a good thing, with the transfer strategy clearly indicating a Brighton-type project ahead.
In his role at Al-Ahli, the objective was slightly different, win trophies for the Saudi club. Jaissle almost overperformed this request, winning back-to-back Asian Champions Leagues, bringing the first and second titles to the club – making Al-Ahli the first club to achieve this incredible feat since 2005. This makes it 5 trophies in just 3 years at 37 years old! Unlike at Salzburg, Jaissle worked with the finished product, accomplished players from around the world such as Ivan Toney, Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez and Frank Kessie – no doubt showing his world-class tactical and managerial ability in any circumstances.
Tactically, Newcastle fans can expect high-intensity pressing and extreme off-the-ball work rate– a feature of previous Salzburg managers that will work incredibly well with a group of young players. The German coach also likes to move the ball forward as quickly as possible after winning it back, so expect a lot of goals scored in transition. At Al-Ahli, he tends to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a formation known for high pressing, and a formation that suits Newcastle quite well. I expect fast players and previous failures Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa to excel under Jaissle despite a tough first season. Ultimately, bringing Jaissle to the Premier League should be very exciting for Newcastle fans. It marks the recognition of a fresh start, and his previous success with youngsters makes him the perfect man for the job. The additional bonus of his unbelievable trophy cabinet also makes for an exciting new reign as Newcastle boss.
