Matthias Jaissle assesses Newcastle rebuild after one defeat in seven games

Matthias Jaissle says introducing his ideas at Newcastle United has been harder than anticipated after a shortened pre-season and major squad changes, although he has suffered only one defeat in his first seven matches across all competitions. In an interview published by BBC Sport, the head coach said parts of his team's performances were meeting expectations, while other passages showed how much improvement remained possible.

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The 38-year-old took over after Eddie Howe stepped down and had only three weeks to prepare for an opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool. According to the BBC, Newcastle subsequently brought in eight players, all aged 24 or younger. Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimaraes departed, leaving Jaissle to establish his approach with a substantially younger group while also dealing with injuries to key players.

Jaissle said the brief preparation period, filled with friendly matches that could not be rearranged, had made conveying his instructions more difficult. He nevertheless maintained confidence in his aggressive, direct approach. The BBC reported that Newcastle had committed a league-high 12 errors leading to shots this season and averaged slightly more than three shots on target per Premier League match. Their only defeat in his opening seven games was a 4-1 loss at Leeds United.

The interview also explored the experiences behind his outlook. Jaissle said a tumour in his neck at five years old had left him unable to move it and raised doubts about whether he could continue playing football. He eventually became a professional with Hoffenheim, but a serious knee injury at 20 disrupted his career. After continuing his attempts to return, he retired in 2014.

His move into coaching began through former Hoffenheim manager Ralf Rangnick, who invited him to a training programme at RB Leipzig. Jaissle was meant to rotate through different departments, beginning as an assistant youth coach alongside former team-mate Sebastien Hoeness. Instead, he stayed in coaching, saying he rediscovered enjoyment within two weeks. He later won trophies with Red Bull Salzburg and Al-Ahli before arriving at Newcastle.

Jaissle described overcoming setbacks as a source of resilience and said he had been encouraged by the reception on Tyneside. He moved from a hotel into a home earlier this week. Following Newcastle's most recent match, a 2-1 home victory over Hull City, he also paid for a supporter's birthday meal, according to the BBC.