The home game against Hull City gave me my first introduction to what some fans call Newcastle United 2.0.
Until then, I had viewed the influence of Matthias Jaissle and his coaches through the limited lens of a spectacle case.
Advertising
TV directors follow the ball, which means they don’t miss important aspects of any game. The mundane but important tasks of closing down opponents, stretching the field to open up space, and offering options denied by teammates are often overlooked by broadcasters.
However, a number of tactical similarities with the team managed by Eddie Howe have already become apparent.
The former manager wanted intensity to be the Magpies’ identity. As he did on March 16 last year, fans cheered him on when the words went into action. That fine day at Wembley was the final vindication of a manager wrongly accused of being a one-trick pony.
There were many other highlights in the Champions League and domestically, such as the 6-1 demolition of Tottenham at St James’ Park in April 2023. Before anyone shrugs nonchalantly and says “it was just Spuds”, the match was introduced as a Top Four eliminator and was played two seasons before the North London Premier League began its monopoly17.
Advertising
Howe was just 31 when he became Bournemouth manager, saving them from relegation and then lifting them to the Premier League.
Jaissle began his managerial career at Liefering at the age of 32 before moving to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in July 2021.
Howe took the Tyneside hot seat in November 2021, three weeks before his 44th birthday. Jaissle succeeded him on August 5, four months after his 38th birthday.
The similarities between the career and approach of Howe and his successor are no coincidence. They should not be a cause for concern either.
On the contrary, they should be noted.
Advertising
Speaking to Radio Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck on Tuesday, Jaissle revealed his desire as a manager is front-foot, high-energy football. He didn’t repeat the mantra “intensity is our identity” (he’s too sensitive to make that mistake), but one reason he was hired is undoubtedly because his philosophy matches Howe’s.
NUFC chief executive and sporting director David Hopkinson and Ross Wilson, respectively, wanted King Eddie to stay put. When they decided the job was no longer for him, the worst they could do was appoint a supporter of tiki-taka or possession-based football.
Why hire a manager who wants to tear up the template that brought Newcastle United their first meaningful silverware since 1969?
I believe Hopkinson and Wilson made a wise choice. By persuading their players at Salzburg and Al Ahly to do what Howe’s men do best, they have identified a successor who has won titles in Austria and Saudi Arabia: outplay, beat and ultimately outshine their opponents.
Advertising
As important as the man fits the team, the team fits the man. Clubs such as Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford are losing managers to richer rivals, but the template remains the same as those behind the scenes, such as sporting directors, see no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Before arriving, Jaissle knew what made his new club happy. He tries to build on the foundations laid by his predecessor instead of starting from scratch.
Compare this modus operandi with the chaos at Manchester United after Ruben Amorim Erik ten Hag, for example. Each manager had won trophies in less demanding leagues and each believed his methods were the right way.
The problem was that their methods did not suit the players. Neither the team nor the manager wanted to change. The result: another “back to the drawing board” decision.
Advertising
In the 13 years you know who quits at Old Trafford, Man U have had 11 changes of guard, including one. Countless millions have been spent hiring and firing David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
When Raisbeck asked Jaissle to name his proudest career accomplishments, the answer was revealing. I’m paraphrasing here, but in essence he said: “I’m not proud, I’m more grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to work with teams to win trophies.”
It was not, I think, a display of false modesty. The young German appreciates that he is relatively inexperienced, knows that he will make mistakes, and understands that “bumps on the road” are inevitable.
So far, he has coped admirably with a series of injuries to experienced players, as well as the loss of Gordon, Tonali and Guimaraes in the weeks before and after joining. Nine new signatures must be integrated. An alarming list of ailments forced Jaissle’s hand.
Advertising
A team that looked almost dead at Craven Cottage in May for the 58th and final match of the 2025/26 season was never going to become world beaters in a few short months, whoever took the reins.
What Jaissle does is encourage previously underperforming players to punch above their weight. Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa and Joe Willock are obvious examples.
The manager has also given new faces like Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Sean Steur a chance to shine.
Asked if any players had surprised the new manager, Raisbeck said it was not his style to single out individuals.
So far, so predictable. Why risk putting extra and unnecessary pressure on someone or upsetting a player by not praising them?
Advertising
However, rules are sometimes broken and Jaissle clearly wanted to highlight a man/boy. He spoke of how impressed he was with Steur, particularly how the Dutch teenager responded to a mistake that cost the team a goal at Elland Road.
Sean Steuer transferred to “Newcastle United”.
Credit: Newcastle United FC
Four wins, two draws and one loss have been recorded so far this season. Considering the odds, that’s pretty good.
Recently appointed captain and vice-captain Dan Byrne and Joelinton have yet to play a single minute. William Osula has not been seen since the first game, also due to injury. Tino Livramento made just three appearances as a substitute before an unspecified failure on the training ground forced him to miss the game against Hull.
Advertising
In total, nine players missed the last Premier League match (two weeks ago today). This is a similarity with many of the positions that Howe does not want.
Some familiar faces will be back and, with luck, they will be ready to face Coventry on October 12. There will no longer be guys on the bench with exactly zero first team competitive experience. Perhaps Steur, who has played in all seven matches this season, will have a one-off watch brief.
Win, draw or lose in the West Midlands, we will at least be able to watch our team for the first time since September 19th.
Source