Despite the clear Financial Fair Play constraints we have found ourselves having to operate under, 48 year old manager Eddie Howe pulled off quite a few miracles in his five year stay at St James’ Park, but loyal Geordie supporters also had a number of low moments – such as last season’s incredibly poor 12th place finish for Newcastle United in the Premier League table.
With 17 defeats and only 14 victories across the domestic league campaign, rumblings of Howe’s future returned to the forefront of the minds in the press, and there was a growing number of fans in the stands who felt that his time had now probably run its course. That naturally led to another disrupted summer where our gaffer moved on, and the Gallowgate End faithful welcomed in new head coach Matthias Jaissle.
Little was known about the sprightly faced 38 year old German, as although he was a former professional centre half for 1899 Hoffenheim, his senior career mustered only 68 domestic Bundesliga appearances – although he did gain one Under 21 international cap. For those fans who like a flutter on the new betting sites UK options that are out there, predictions for his maiden season in England will be interesting as his managerial career has been slightly more fruity. He began at FC Liefering, before taking in a two year spell at Red Bull Salzburg where he led them to two Austrian Bundesliga titles, and an Austrian Cup.
His next adventure was a Saudi Pro League one, where a three year spell with Al-Ahli returned a Saudi Super Cup and two AFC Champions League Elite, and that is obviously where our Board plucked him from. With Newcastle’s summer build up and pre season over, and the big Premier League kick off for the 2026/277 campaign a matter of days and hours away, fans obviously have a number of outstanding questions where it comes to what kind of season we can now expect – transition will be the watchword, but it is hardly what was wanted after our recent Champions League return.
Fans will be somewhat calmed by the big money £148.7 million spending on the likes of Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba, Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic, but unless you are into your European football they are not exactly household names, and adjusting to the Premier League level takes the majority of new faces some time.
However, with the even bigger money £236.85 million sales of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, there is an argument to be had as to whether we have stood still, or fallen backwards. It has been patently obvious that despite the wealth of our owners, financial regulations have held us back in recent years – and Saudi’s growing disinterest in sporting endeavours is an issue – so fans will find out if things have changed in our corner of the world based on whether or not we continue to spend to ensure we actually move forward, even if it is only on paper.
Then it is over to Jaissle for the next piece of the puzzle in what is by far, his biggest job to date, with hopes and expectations that he has never had to deal with. After a serious knee injury ended his career early just as Hoffenheim were on the rise, it only took him three years to bag his first assistant manager post, and only six years to get into management in his own right (he equalled Liefering’s highest ever finish in season one), so we know he is driven, we know he likes a challenge and we know he does not mind breaking the mold.
Can he do that with us is the question? ‘I like challenges…we will have no excuses’.
Those two lines from his first major interview on the verge of the home Liverpool opener on Sunday afternoon will definitely raise spirits, but he is going to need time and support, and football is not the most patient at the best of times.
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