Matthias Jaissle on Newcastle United's Ambitious Dream
Matthias Jaissle says Newcastle United’s Saudi-backed owners sold him an ambitious “dream” – but the new head coach insists the project will take time and heavy lifting in the final weeks of the transfer window.
While Jaissle was being unveiled at St James’ Park, sporting director Ross Wilson was upstairs working on deals the German badly wants completed before Liverpool arrive on Tyneside for the Premier League opener on August 23.
Newcastle are in talks with Benfica over defender Amar Dedic, described by club insiders as “an option” rather than a done deal, and negotiations continue over an experienced central midfielder. Behind the scenes, the scramble has started.
‘Ambitious’ dream sold by PIF
Jaissle spent last week in La Manga with Newcastle’s owners PIF, who set out the vision that persuaded him to replace Eddie Howe earlier this summer.
Asked what he had been told by the hierarchy, he did not hesitate.
“That we are ambitious? That’s the most important thing, that’s why I decided to come here,” he said.
“But this will not happen overnight, especially when you have such a big transition phase now.
“Then you need to have a clear goal, a clear vision of where we want to go to, and that starts with the decision makers up in front, from the management, from the board.
“And then if you have that synergy with the fans, the staff, and the players, everyone is included to go there. Then I’m pretty sure it will be a successful story. But we need time now.”
Time, though, is exactly what the transfer window does not offer. Newcastle are understood to still be short in several areas and, by some estimates inside the club, could do with four more signings to put together a squad capable of mounting a serious top-six challenge next season.
Transfers on the clock
Pressed on how busy Newcastle are in the market, Jaissle pushed the responsibility firmly towards Wilson and the club’s executives, while trying to keep the mood upbeat.
“I cannot interpret what is busy for you, probably it’s different busy from what I think is busy,” he said.
“It’s a job for Ross and the management to find solutions, to provide something.
“We are all optimistic. We have time. I am here for 36 hours in Newcastle, I had a bit of time in La Manga already to get the lads better. We work on it, that’s all I can say here in the press conference. Keep the optimism.”
The message is clear: the head coach wants reinforcements, but he will not publicly rattle the cage in his first days in charge. For now, he leans on optimism and process while the recruitment team wrestle with a tight market and the clock.
The call to replace Howe
Jaissle has been officially in the job for only around 10 days, but the move gathered pace at the end of July once Howe’s departure loomed into view.
“I received a call at the end of July, when it was clear that most likely Eddie would quit,” he revealed.
That call came from a club whose profile, history and style tugged at him immediately.
“Obviously if there’s first of all a club original from Premier League, and then also a club like Newcastle with that special club history, that fan base, that DNA, which is so linked to the idea of how I want to play football.
“There was no doubt or question marks but [I had to] to listen and take that process further. For sure I had a big smile.”
A big smile is one thing. Delivering on the “ambitious” dream is another. With Liverpool looming and the window ticking down, Newcastle’s new era under Jaissle will be judged very quickly on who walks through the door next.
