Newcastle United look set to appoint Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach. (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images))
It’s set to be all change for Newcastle United this summer, both in the dugout and on the pitch. After five years in charge of the club, Eddie Howe has left St James’ Park.
The news broke just a matter of hours after the 4-1 friendly defeat against Championship side Bristol City. It seems to be a time of Chaos for Newcastle.
The manager is said to have made the decision, which follows the sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon earlier this summer. Gordon moved to Barcelona for a fee of £69.3 million, with Tonali completing a £100 million transfer to Tottenham.
There is also speculation over the futures of both Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall. Arsenal are being strongly linked with Guimaraes, and Manchester United interested in Hall.
For Newcastle, the focus will be on bringing in replacements for Howe and handling any outgoings between now and the Premier League opener. The Magpies seem to be closing in on a deal for Al-Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle.
If that appointment is made, then it could potentially open up the door for Newcastle to move for a former Premier League title winner, who could help to fill some of the void of the quality left by the sales.
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While at Al-Ahil, Jaissle has worked closely with Riyad Mahrez. Under the German coach, he played 122 games, scoring 37 times and providing 50 assists.
The 35-year-old officially left the club this summer and is now available on a free transfer. He could be a player who Jaissle could turn to as he looks to make an impact at Newcastle.
Mahrez’s age and the fact that he has been playing in Saudi Arabia means that he may not be expected to start every game. Newcastle have already brought in a replacement for Gordon in Bazoumana Toure.
Riyad Mahrez is available on a free transfer this summer. (Image: Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
But, Mahrez, who has won five Premier League titles with Leicester City and Manchester City, would no doubt add some Premier League know-how and quality to Newcastle’s squad.
Speaking about his relationship with Mahrez in December 2024, Jaissle told RMC Sport:
"Mahrez is a fantastic footballer, I have a very good relationship with him. And I think if you ask him, he'll probably tell you the same thing.
“I can only say that I'm really happy to have him on the team. He's an incredible player, he's won everything. And he's showing it again this year with the difference he's able to make during matches.”
Mahrez captained Algeria in this summer’s World Cup, scoring twice and providing an assist in his four appearances in the competition. He announced his retirement from international football following the tournament, meaning he’ll be concentrating on his club career.
Fabrizio Romano reports that he is keen to return to Europe, with Serie A Clubs showing an interest. Despite his age, having the chance to sign someone of Mahrez’s quality may be one that Newcastle shouldn’t turn down.
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What Jaissle could mean for Newcastle
If Newcastle do complete the appointment of Matthias Jaissle, the club may gain a direct line to a player the German knows well. His time with Riyad Mahrez at Al-Ahli has already shown he can get the best out of the winger, and that familiarity could prove useful as Newcastle look to reshape the squad.
With Gordon already gone, Tonali sold, and uncertainty surrounding Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall, Newcastle could need proven quality quickly. Mahrez’s free-transfer status makes him a particularly intriguing option, even if his age and Saudi Arabia spell suggest he would be used carefully.
The link is strengthened by Jaissle’s public praise of Mahrez, and by the fact that the 35-year-old has continued to deliver at club level. His record of 122 games, 37 goals and 50 assists under Jaissle underlines the impact he has had.
Mahrez’s international retirement also means there is no further World Cup or national-team commitment to factor in. He will now focus entirely on club football, and Fabrizio Romano reports that he is keen to return to Europe, with Serie A Clubs showing an interest.
For Newcastle, the appeal is obvious. Mahrez would bring five Premier League titles’ worth of experience from Leicester City and Manchester City, as well as a winning mentality and technical quality that could help offset the losses already suffered this summer.
Whether or not Newcastle decide to move for him, the situation underlines how much change is taking place at St James’ Park. Howe’s departure after five years has opened the door to a new era, and Jaissle may now be the man to shape it.
