Malick Thiaw has revealed how head coach Matthias Jaissle addressed Newcastle United’s players inside the Elland Road dressing room after Monday’s 4-1 Premier League defeat to Leeds United. The Newcastle defender told Chronicle Live that Jaissle did not shy away from a frank conversation once the final whistle went.
Malick Thiaw details Matthias Jaissle dressing room reaction
“He spoke straight to us,” Thiaw said, describing the head coach’s reaction in the changing room at full time.
The defender explained that this direct approach is simply how Jaissle operates, regardless of the result.
“I think that’s the way he is. He speaks straight to us. To the players. What we have to do better. Everybody included. We’re on the same boat. But we are what we have to do better.”
The result ended Jaissle’s five-match unbeaten start across all competitions as Newcastle head coach. It was his first defeat since taking charge at St James’ Park.
Official details from Elland Road defeat and Jaissle reaction
Newcastle United lost 4-1 to Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday. Daniel Farke’s side scored through Jayden Bogle, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor, while Lewis Miley also turned the ball into his own net during a difficult evening for the visitors.
Bazoumana Touré came off the bench to score Newcastle’s consolation goal, his first in the Premier League. Joe Willock also featured as a substitute as Jaissle looked to his bench for a response.
Thiaw admitted the scoreline gave the squad a reality check after a promising start to the season.
“These kinds of nights, sometimes it’s not good. But it brings us back to reality. The quality we have is good, but it’s not just about the quality. We still have to bring, as I said, the energy. But also it’s about how we deal with these kinds of nights.”
The centre-back said Jaissle’s message balanced honest criticism with recognition of the team’s ability.
“I think there are two options. You speak everything bad and go, even with a bad feeling, into the next game. Or you speak about the bad things that happened. But you don’t forget the quality you have or the things you did already. I look forward to the next game with the wisdom that we have to do better than we did today or even the first half against Bournemouth.”
Tactical breakdown and squad impact after Leeds setback
Thiaw pointed to a lack of energy as the central issue behind the defeat, rather than any shortage of quality within the squad.
“First of all, I think, as I said, it’s always over everything, over the quality. I think we have to bring more energy into the game.”
He added that Newcastle cannot rely on ability alone against the division’s leading sides. A demand Jaissle has made since he impressed insiders with his work since taking charge.
“I think if we bring this, we can shine better, each player, with our quality. I don’t think we are on a level right now yet, like the top, top, top teams, which can sometimes do less. I think we always have to be on our top.”
Thiaw also identified specific tactical shortcomings. He insisted the players failed to carry out the plan Jaissle had prepared for Leeds.
“So I think this is the main thing about the duels. That we win the duels. Be better with the ball as well. Have more ideas as well, like how we play. I think the coach gave us a good match plan, but we didn’t really play it well.”
The defender praised the depth Jaissle has built at Newcastle, after the head coach recently praised key members of his squad and completed further additions to his Newcastle United setup during the window.
“It’s a great squad, we have great players and great personalities as well. I think it’s a young squad, but still with a lot of personality inside. Some more on the pitch, sometimes more off the pitch. It depends on each player. I think we have a great squad.”
What happens next for Newcastle United under Matthias Jaissle
Thiaw insisted heavy defeats are part of football. How Newcastle responds will matter more than the result itself.
“As the coach said, of course there will be nights on and off. I think that’s kind of football, but it’s how you take these things to the next game.”
He also pushed back against focusing purely on the negatives from a one-sided scoreline.
“I think it’s nearly impossible to just have one game that you just have negatives.”
Thiaw singled out the impact of Newcastle’s substitutes, including Touré’s goal, as one of the few bright spots from the night.
“I think you always have a little bit of positive things there in football, in the whole match. I think today, if you have to mention some, it’s the substitutes who did really well.”
Thiaw’s full comments were first published in Chronicle Live’s report on Malick Thiaw’s interview. Jaissle and his squad now turn their attention to their next fixture, looking to respond to their first defeat of the season in the manner Thiaw described.
