Newcastle United’s summer just turned into their most turbulent in years. Matthias Jaissle is set to become Newcastle’s new head coach within days, following Eddie Howe’s shock decision to step down after nearly five years in charge — a departure confirmed just three weeks before the new Premier League season kicks off.
It caps a dramatic few days on Tyneside, one that also includes captain Bruno Guimaraes edging closer to a big-money exit. Here’s everything that’s happened, and what it means going into 2026/27. You can follow the latest on the appointment via Sky Sports’ coverage of the deal.
Why Eddie Howe left Newcastle
Howe’s exit has genuinely blindsided large parts of the fanbase. He had previously ruled himself out of the vacant Manchester United job and repeatedly said he was “100 per cent” committed to Newcastle, and he led the club to its first major trophy in 56 years when they lifted the League Cup last season, a run that included memorable league form such as their win over West Ham to climb into the top six. But reports point to growing frustration with the club’s recruitment strategy as the underlying cause of his exit, with Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali all having left the club for a combined fee in the region of $390 million over the past eighteen months.
Matthias Jaissle: the man replacing him
Newcastle have moved fast to fill the vacancy. The 38-year-old German, who has been managing Saudi side Al Ahli, is expected to sign a four-year contract, with Newcastle agreeing to pay around £9.5m in compensation to Al Ahli to get the deal done.
Matthias Jaissle isn’t a household name in England yet, but his coaching résumé is strong. He won back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles at Red Bull Salzburg before an unexpected exit in 2023, then took over at Al Ahli and delivered back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in 2024–25 and 2025–26. His football is unmistakably shaped by the Red Bull coaching philosophy: quick, aggressive pressing and rapid transitions once possession is won. At Salzburg he favoured a 4-4-2 diamond; at Al Ahli he’s mostly used a 4-2-3-1 built around wide creators. For a fuller look at his background, ESPN’s profile of Jaissle is worth a read. Newcastle fans should expect a notably higher-tempo, higher-press approach than under Howe.
The plan is for Matthias Jaissle to meet his new squad at their pre-season training camp in La Manga, Spain, with his first game in charge a friendly against Valencia at the Mestalla the following Saturday — a useful few weeks to work with the group before the Premier League campaign begins.
Bruno Guimaraes edges towards Arsenal exit
Howe’s departure isn’t the only upheaval at St James’ Park this week. Captain Bruno Guimaraes looks set to leave for Arsenal in a deal reportedly worth around xe2x82xac90m plus add-ons, with personal terms already agreed on a long-term contract xe2x80x94 the latest move in what has been a busy summer of business for the champions, following our Arsenal transfer update on their other summer targets. It’s the conclusion of a transfer saga that’s rumbled on for months, and it leaves Newcastle facing a genuine rebuilding job in midfield just as they’re also bedding in a new head coach.
Between the managerial change and the loss of key players, this is about as significant a pre-season shake-up as Newcastle have had since their Saudi-backed takeover.
What it means heading into Gameweek 1
Newcastle open the new Premier League season at home to Liverpool, which suddenly looks like a far tougher assignment for a Matthias Jaissle side still finding its feet than it did a fortnight ago. If you’re weighing up Gameweek 1 selections, our FPL Gameweek 1 captain picks guide covers that fixture and the rest of the opening round in detail. Expect plenty more twists at St James’ Park before the transfer window closes on 31 August.
