There were no crowds gathered on the steps of St James’ Park and little sense of theatre inside as Matthias Jaissle was formally introduced by Newcastle United.
For a club that has publicly set its sights on joining football’s elite by 2030, this was a notably low-key welcome for the head coach contracted through to that very year. The implication is clear enough: Newcastle’s hierarchy see Jaissle as the figure capable of guiding them towards that long-term ambition.
Yet there was none of the grand talk about Champions League triumphs, Premier League titles or fantasy moves for Kylian Mbappe that accompanied the early days of the Saudi-backed project nearly five years ago. The immediate focus is far more grounded, with 31-year-old midfielder Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg emerging in recent days as the club’s leading transfer target.
Jaissle struck a tone of enthusiasm and control, repeatedly returning to one theme in particular: optimism. He carries a quiet authority that feels convincing. Still, beneath the upbeat language sat a more practical message. Newcastle need reinforcements, and their new head coach will need patience as much as backing.
Those familiar with the situation say Jaissle has already identified the shortcomings in the squad he has inherited, particularly a shortage of leadership and a lack of high-level depth in important positions. It was telling when, asked about the exit of experienced players, he referred to a leadership “vacuum”. On the evidence available, it is a fair assessment.
Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United unveiling was a subdued affair, with no large gathering of supporters outside St James’ Park and minimal fanfare inside
Sources indicate Jaissle has quickly recognised Newcastle’s need for stronger leadership and greater quality in depth across key areas of the squad
With Bruno Guimaraes now in north London, the obvious question followed: has Jaissle chosen a new captain? “No,” he replied. Nothing more needed to be said.
His answer when asked what remit the board had given him for this season was equally revealing, given Eddie Howe and the club made no secret of their expectation of European qualification last term, which ended in 12th place in the Premier League.
‘(The remit) is that we are ambitious, but this will not happen overnight, especially when you have such a big transition phase now,’ he said. ‘It makes no sense to promise you anything, because I don’t know how things look in half a year or one year. What we can control, we will control. Cutting the tasks down on a daily basis, doing the best job, and then we go in the right direction – and that is going to be successful.’
Transition was another word he used repeatedly. In fact, the Newcastle 2.0 that chief executive David Hopkinson has spoken about post-Howe feels, at this moment, more like Newcastle 1.5. Less than two weeks out from the visit of Liverpool in the Premier League opener, Jaissle has no fit full backs, while the experienced midfielder he craves appears no closer to arriving.
‘We are aware of what we need and the squad that we want,’ he said. ‘Internally, everyone is aware of that, and we are working on the solutions.’
There are talks over a deal for Benfica right back Amar Dedic, but he is another who has never played in England. It is not hard to understand why 97-cap Denmark midfielder Hojbjerg, with more than 250 Premier League appearances at Southampton and Tottenham, was seen by Jaissle as the kind of foundation around which a younger team could be rebuilt. The Marseille midfielder, however, has opted against the move. The optics of Newcastle 1.5 are not the easiest sell.
Because when the target of ‘consolidation’ was put to the manager of this Saudi-owned club at his first press conference – and it did not sound ridiculous or provoke a challenge – it told you plenty about the task in front of him. For that, he deserves patience.
‘It’s a big challenge,’ he said. ‘It always is when there’s a transition period, but it’s not the time to complain. It doesn’t make sense to see the negative. We want to see the chance in the situation.’
There are talks over a deal for Benfica right back Amar Dedic (left), but he is another who has never played in England
It is not hard to understand why Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (right) was seen by Jaissle as the kind of foundation around which a younger team could be rebuilt
You suspect Jaissle’s demonstrative touchline presence will endear him to Newcastle supporters, if not those of the opposition
There is another challenge for Jaissle – keeping himself out of the stands. Although you suspect a demonstrative touchline presence will endear him to Newcastle supporters, if not those of the opposition.
At times in Valencia during his first game on Saturday night, it looked like he was making overlapping runs beyond right winger Anthony Elanga. Indeed, he has already asked club staff how many bookings a manager is allowed before they serve a touchline ban, and he returned a hesitant laugh when informed it was just three.
‘I will not change my style because that’s my personality,’ said the former Al Hilal boss. ‘On the touchline, I am emotional. But I need to respect the technical box a bit more. I had a long line in Saudi Arabia, so I think my GPS would be quite high! I’m a bit scared. I hope in the beginning the referees can maybe close their eyes here and there a little!’
There were other flashes of levity, too, including mention of the song which the Toon Army bestowed on him in Spain – ‘Jaissle, I can boogie’ to the tune of Baccara’s Yes Sir, I Can Boogie. ‘I heard it once and I was smiling,’ he said. ‘The guys around me, all the staff members, said they’re really looking forward to sitting after a match in the bar and listening to the song. So let’s see about that.’
To sit in the bar and be serenaded will need wins. To get those wins, at least on a consistent enough basis to make a success of his debut season, will need more players of greater experience and quality. He knows that. Maybe it is, then, that a low-key introduction was what was necessary. There is no need for Jaissle to boogie just yet. First, he needs a team to dance with.
